California Watch: Grants - Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund

Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund

GRANTS TO ACHIEVE FUEL OR AIR EMISSIONS BENEFITS FOR CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS

DEADLINE FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS:
May 3, 2010: 5:00 PM, Monday.

The Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund is now soliciting applications from nonprofit organizations for grants to fund projects designed to achieve fuel or air emission benefits for consumers in California.

The Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund supports projects designed to achieve fuel or air emission benefits for consumers throughout the state of California. The goal of the Open Grants Program is to fund nonprofit organizations that offer projects that will deliver benefits related to reductions in vehicle emissions and/or fuel use through a broad range of strategies. Examples of eligible projects include:

- reducing diesel emissions
- increasing the use of alternative-fuel vehicles
- enhancing transit use and shared vehicle use
- training local officials in designing effective strategies to improve air quality and/or fuel efficiency
- reducing exposure to near-source or near-road emissions.

Where appropriate, applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with local air districts, other public agencies, and/or other entities such as foundations or industrial organizations.

The Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund is the result of the settlement of fourteen class action lawsuits against Union Oil Company of California and Unocal Corporation (Unocal). In these lawsuits, Plaintiffs claimed that Unocal affected the price for CARB-compliant summertime reformulated gasoline in California by urging the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt its proprietary formula for summertime reformulated gasoline. Unocal denied any wrongdoing or that gas prices increased as a result of its actions. Before trial, the parties agreed to settle the class actions. As part of the settlement, the parties agreed to distribute approximately $7 million through a competitive Open Grants Program to fund projects that will deliver benefits related to reductions in emissions and/or fuel use in California.

For more information about the Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund and instructions on how to submit a grant application, click on the links below to view the Request for Proposals and Grant Application Form.