Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program

Carl Moyer Program — Grants via Local Air Districts

Supports carl Moyer replacementrepower grants for cleaner than required engines via California air districts.

The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, jointly administered by the California Air Resources Board and thirty-five local air districts, provides grants to replace or repower engines and equipment to operate cleaner than state emission requirements mandate. Funded through state DMV registration surcharges, tire fees, and local district matching contributions, the program has historically distributed approximately $60–100 million per year statewide. CARB sets program guidelines and provides oversight, while local air districts administer grants, select projects, and determine award amounts within their jurisdictions. Applicants must apply through their local air district; CARB does not accept applications directly.

Covered equipment categories include on-road heavy-duty trucks, off-road equipment, marine vessels, locomotives, stationary agricultural pump engines, and other mobile-source categories listed in the Eligible Equipment schedule. For-profit businesses, nonprofits, and individuals may participate; universities and research organizations are not eligible. Because the program operates through thirty-five separate districts, award ceilings, application windows, and project selection criteria vary by district and are defined at the district level, not the CARB level.

The central eligibility criterion — that funded engines must operate demonstrably cleaner than the standard required by state regulation — means applicants should document current equipment emission levels and the verified improvement achieved by the replacement or repower before applying. Engaging the local air district early to understand available funding in a given fiscal year and any district-specific preferences for equipment type or project size is the most effective preparation strategy.