Air Pollution Control Program Support

 

The objectives of the ?105 program are to assist state, tribal, municipal, intermunicipal, and interstate air pollution control agencies in planning, developing, establishing, improving, and maintaining adequate programs for the continuing prevention and control of air pollution, and/or in the implementation of national primary and secondary air quality standards. Funding Priorities - Funding Fiscal Year 2019: Much of the work occurring in FY 2018, including the implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), monitoring industry compliance with EPA stationary source regulations, developing emission inventories, characterizing air toxics problems, and meeting NAAQS ambient monitoring requirements, will continue into FY 2019. The Office of Air and Radiation's (OAR?s) National Program Manager (NPM) Guidance for FY 2018 - FY 2019 identifies key priorities and activities expected to be undertaken by EPA headquarters and regional offices and implementing air pollution control agencies. The NPM Guidance includes associated grant guidance that provides information on the continuing air program. The Guidance provides the basis for grant negotiations between regions and air pollution control agencies regarding resource allocations and expected performance. Specific expectations and deliverables are established through negotiations in grant agreements between regions and air pollution control agencies. OAR encourages air pollution control agencies to engage EPA on activities where there may be opportunities for flexibility. Details of the NPM Guidance for FY 2018-2019 can be found at https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/national-program-guidances. The NPM Guidance Monitoring Appendix can be found at https://www.epa.gov/amtic/regulations-guidance-and-monitoring-plans. This monitoring guidance outlines monitoring priorities, quality assurance programs, and funding projections.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
66.001
Federal Agency/Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Not available Annual emissions estimates are used as one indicator of the effectiveness of our programs. Between 1970 and 2016, gross domestic product increased 253 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 190 percent, energy consumption increased 44 percent, and U.S. population grew by 58 percent. During the same time period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 73 percent. Each year EPA tracks the levels of these pollutants in the air and how much of each pollutant (or the pollutants that form them) is emitted from various pollution sources. The agency looks at these numbers year after year to see how the pollutants have changed over time. EPA posts the results of our analyses at www.epa.gov/airtrends.
Fiscal Year 2017 Projects are underway, the program accomplishments will be available when reporting is completed. See current results at www.epa.gov/airtrends. Annual emissions estimates are used as one indicator of the effectiveness of our programs. Between 1980 and 2014, gross domestic product increased 147 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 97 percent, energy consumption increased 26 percent, and U.S. population grew by 41 percent. During the same time period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 63 percent. Between 1980 and 2013, CO2 emissions increased by 17 percent. Each year EPA tracks the levels of these pollutants in the air and how much of each pollutant (or the pollutants that form them) is emitted from various pollution sources. The agency looks at these numbers year after year to see how the pollutants have changed over time.
Fiscal Year 2018 2019 Grants are awarded annually to air pollution control agencies to implement their air pollution control program. Information regarding recent accomplishments is available at www.epa.gov/airtrends
Authorization
Clean Air Act, Section 105
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Municipal, Intermunicipal, State, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, or Interstate or Intertribal with legal responsibility for appropriate air pollution planning, development, establishment, implementation, and maintenance of Clean Air Act air pollution control activities, including management of grant support for those activities, provided such organization furnishes funds for the current year that are equal to or in excess of its recurrent expenditures for the previous year for its approved section 105 air pollution control program. The determination of expenditures is subject to decisions based on provisions of the Clean Air Act and applicable grant regulations. This program is available to each state, territory and possession of the U.S., including the District of Columbia. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy
Beneficiary Eligibility
Municipalities (local governments), Intermunicipalities, States, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, and Interstate and Intertribal agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
The application must supply evidence of legal authority for air pollution control including responsibility for carrying out the implementation plan requirements under SS110 of the Clean Air Act; evidence of the availability of nonfederal matching funds; assurance that federal funds do not supplant available recipient funds; evidence that the Governor or his designated state agency has been given the opportunity to comment on the relationship of the program to be funded to the state plan; and a workable program officially adopted for the agency. Principles for determining allowable costs are set forth in applicable Federal management circulars described in the Uniform Grants Guidance regulations and procedures 2 CFR 200.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Discussion with the applicable EPA Regional Office is advised for air program grant applications. Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual listed under "Agency Contact" of the competitive announcement.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applications must meet the requirements of the grant regulations and will be reviewed to determine merit and relevancy of the proposed project particularly with regard to the most recently available national program and grant guidance. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Procedures for awards are outlined in 2 CFR Part 200. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Approximately 90 days.
Appeals
Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
The criteria for awarding air pollution control program assistance grants are provided in Section 105 of the Clean Air Act. Additional criteria for state and local air pollution control agencies are available in 40 CFR 35.140 through 148. Some of the criteria considered for award to state and local agencies include the following: 1) No grant may be awarded unless the program contained in the grant application meets the requirements of 40 CFR 35.140 (program purposes and associated regulations) and has been approved by the Regional Administrator. 40 CFR 35.104 and 35.107 describe what an agency needs to do to prepare an adequate application. This usually includes the use of annual program technical and grant guidance from EPA and is generally done in consultation with the EPA Regional Office. 2) No grant may be awarded until the Regional Administrator has consulted with the official designated by the Governor(s) of the state(s) affected by such award pursuant to Section 105(b) of the Clean Air Act. Such consultation should consider the role of the applicant in the enforcement of any applicable implementation plan and confirm that the applicant's program will be generally compatible with the objectives of the applicable implementation plan. 3) No grant may be awarded unless the Regional Administrator has determined that the agency has adequate air pollution control authority and necessary regulations to implement such authority. The requirements for awarding Section 105 grants to tribal air pollution control agencies are described in 40 CFR 35.570 through 578. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement.
How may assistance be used?
Grant funds may be used for costs specifically incurred in the conduct of a state/local/tribal air pollution control program in accordance with the purposes enumerated in the approved application. These include personnel costs, supplies, equipment, personnel training, travel, and other necessary expenditures during the approved project period. Funds may not be used for construction of facilities, nor for expenses incurred other than during each approved award period. Grant funds may not be used to subsidize the costs of Title V operating permit programs or to supplant otherwise available recipient resources.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Grantees are required to perform performance monitoring in accordance with Agency policy and requirements stated in the Uniform Grants Guidance 2 CFR 200 and 1500 Subpart E
Auditing
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for 3 years from the date of submission of the annual financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. The Clean Air Act does not prescribe a specific statutory funding formula but does direct that the factors of population, the extent and severity of the air pollution problem, and financial need, be considered in the allocation of available resources by the Agency. State, interstate, and local programs may receive up to 60 % federal funding for the total approved program costs. The non-tribal grantee must contribute a minimum of 40% as well as meet a maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. The amount of federal share of grant costs should be determined by reference to the criteria set forth in Section 105 of the Clean Air Act and in 40 CFR 35.145, 40 CFR 35.146, and 40 CFR 147. Not more than 10 % of the total of funds appropriated for Section 105 grants shall be granted for air pollution control programs in any one state. Not less than one-half of one % of the annual appropriations are to be made available to a state for application. EPA can award less than the 0.5% level if the level of funding is not justified in the work plan. For Indian tribes establishing eligibility pursuant to Section 35.573, the Regional Administrator may provide financial assistance in an amount up to 95 % of the approved costs of planning, developing, establishing, or improving an air pollution control program, and up to 95 % of the approved costs of maintaining that program. After 2 years from the date of each tribe's initial grant award, the Regional Administrator will reduce the maximum federal share to 90 %, as long as the Regional Administrator determines that the tribe meets certain economic indicators that would provide an objective assessment of the tribe's ability to increase its share.

This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. Additional Information: This program does have a maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement which requires that a recipient's recurring expenditures must meet or exceed the level of the prior year's recurring expenditures.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The terms of the grant shall be determined at time of award. Assistance agreements may be fully funded by a lump sum or funded incrementally (quarterly).
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Jeff Whitlow
Office of Air and Radiation
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
109 T.W. Alexander Drive, MC C404-02
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 US
whitlow.jeff@epa.gov
Phone: (919) 541-5523
Website Address
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-air-and-radiation-oar
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18 est $228,219,000.00; FY 19 est $161,500,000.00; FY 20 est $104,000,000.00; FY 17$228,219,000.00; FY 16$228,219,000.00; - (Formula Grants) FY 18$163,600,000.00; FY 19 FY 20 -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From approximately $50,000 to $6,500,000 per recipient; average approximately $1,400,000
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Air Pollution Control Program Grants, EPA, 40 CFR 35.140 through 148 and 40 CFR 35.540 through 548 (revised January 9, 2001); Interim Rule published January 4, 1995 (FR V.60 No.2, pp.366-372); Uniform Grants Guidance 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Not available Continuing program grants are provided to State, Local and Tribal air pollution control agencies for the purpose of operating programs that plan and implement activities to achieve ambient air quality standards. These programs cover: planning for attainment of updated national air quality standards including fine particulates and ozone; state implementation plan development; ambient monitoring; emission inventories; air and emissions modeling; source permitting; certain compliance and enforcement activities related to mobile and non-Title V stationary and area sources; public outreach and education activities; development and implementation of air quality regulations; implementation of market-based, early action compacts and other innovative air pollution reduction or prevention strategies; technical training; risk and data analyses; information management; and program evaluation, progress reporting and other program operation and maintenance activities.
Fiscal Year 2017 Continuing program grants are provided to State, Local and Tribal air pollution control agencies for the purpose of operating programs that plan and implement activities to achieve ambient air quality standards. These programs cover: planning for attainment of updated national air quality standards including fine particulates and ozone; state implementation plan development; ambient monitoring; emission inventories; air and emissions modeling; source permitting; certain compliance and enforcement activities related to mobile and non-Title V stationary and area sources; public outreach and education activities; development and implementation of air quality regulations; implementation of market-based, early action compacts and other innovative air pollution reduction or prevention strategies; technical training; risk and data analyses; information management; and program evaluation, progress reporting and other program operation and maintenance activities.
Fiscal Year 2018 Continuing program grants are provided to state, local and tribal air pollution control agencies for the purpose of operating programs that plan and implement activities to achieve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These programs cover: planning for attainment of updated NAAQS including fine particulates and ozone; state implementation plan development; ambient monitoring; emission inventories; air and emissions modeling; source permitting; certain compliance and enforcement activities related to mobile and non-Title V stationary and area sources; public outreach and education activities; development and implementation of air quality regulations; implementation of market-based, early action compacts and other innovative air pollution reduction or prevention strategies; technical training; risk and data analyses; information management; and program evaluation, progress reporting and other program operation and maintenance activities

 


Related Federal Grants


Federal Grants Resources