Council authorizes Environmental Affairs Department to seek MSRC grants for air‑pollution programs; members ask about electric vehicle leasing and diesel traps

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion authorizing the Environmental Affairs Department to prepare and submit applications for grant funding through the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) at the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

During debate Councilmember Garcetti asked whether grants would support leasing electric vehicles for city fleets or only purchases. Gretchen Hardison of the Environmental Affairs Department said the MSRC opportunities under consideration generally offer purchase incentives through the California Energy Commission and that the MSRC at that time was not offering an electric-vehicle buy-down. Lisa Wonder of the Environmental Affairs Department told the council the California Energy Commission had a rebate program that could amount to $9,000 over three years ("$3,000 per year") and indicated that rebate could apply to either purchase or lease.

Councilmembers pressed for clarity about which vehicles and technologies the grant solicitations would target. Department staff said they were preparing to respond to multiple requests for proposals, including opportunities that could cover off-road heavy-duty vehicles and separate requests for particulate trap installations. Staff said they were organizing an interagency alternative fuels task force to identify departmental needs and to coordinate purchases so efforts are not duplicated across departments.

Councilmember Bernsen asked whether the grants are state programs or administered through AQMD; staff replied the MSRC is housed at the AQMD and the programs are separate from the Moyer funds. Councilmember Bernsen said he would examine the proposals closely when they reach the AQMD.

The council approved the authorization on a roll call that recorded 14 ayes.