Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) opened its annual initiative to assist fleet owners operating within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to apply for incentive funding to replace diesel trucks with new near-zero emissions natural gas trucks through the Carl Moyer Program on March 9. Approximately $36 million is available for eligible clean air projects within the SCAQMD's territory. Approved fleet owners can apply to receive up to $100,000 towards the purchase of new natural gas trucks and compressed natural gas fueling stations. This year's application period will run through June 1, 2021.

The transportation sector is responsible for about 40% of California's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and more than 80% of the state's NOx, or smog-forming, emissions. Heavy-duty trucks with the latest natural gas engines can cut smog-forming emissions by more than 90% compared to the cleanest heavy-duty diesel trucks on the road today. When these ultra-low emission natural gas trucks are fueled by renewable natural gas (RNG), GHG emissions are reduced by at least 80%. SoCalGas currently operates 15 public RNG fueling stations across its service territory.

According to a 2020 report, RNG use as a transportation fuel in California has increased 210% over the last five years, helping displace more than 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

Since 2018, SoCalGas has assisted customers in securing incentive funding for 409 near-zero emissions heavy-duty trucks and 34 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling stations through the Carl Moyer Program.  The emissions reductions attained by replacing 409 diesel trucks is equivalent to 48,671 traditional combustion engine cars off roads. Last year, the utility assisted the City of El Monte in securing funding for a new RNG fueling station to support the city's local transit buses, trucks, street sweepers, and waste haulers.

The Carl Moyer Program is a tool to help California reduce emissions from the transportation sector and reach its climate goals. Since 1998, the program has provided $530 million in incentive funding, which has resulted in a reduction of approximately 8,601 tons per year of NOx and over 249 tons per year of particulate matter emissions throughout its territory.

The program grant is competitive, which means funds are distributed on a rolling basis until all money is awarded. Fleet owners interested in receiving support from SoCalGas in securing funding through the Carl Moyer Program can email CleanTransportation@semprautilities.com.