Clean Air Fund

The resources of Clean Air Fund derive entirely from penalties collected by the Air Quality Program and contains no county tax dollars. The Allegheny County Health Department administers the Clean Air Fund to support activities and projects that:

• Improve air quality within Allegheny County by reducing, eliminating or preventing the creation of air pollution
• Broaden understanding of air quality effects through health studies concerning air pollution
• Educate the public on issues concerning air pollution
• Provide special purpose ambient air monitoring
• Lend their special expertise to the county (when requested) by providing consulting services or research and develop pollution-control technologies
• Complete any other project consistent with the provisions of Article XXI(PDF, 2MB) and the mission of the Board of Health

Importantly, the Clean Air Funds cannot be used by regulated entities as a means of meeting air quality regulations.

To request support from the Clean Air Fund, please reach out to the Air Quality program using Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee contact form.

2024 Clean Air Fund Request for Application

The ACHD is pleased to offer the following request for applications for funding for four project in 2024, totaling $5 million. These projects will be competitively awarded and are open to non-profits, local governments, private companies, and academic institutions for projects being conducted in Allegheny County, PA. An applicant may only submit for one overall project per category. The tentative timeline is as follows:

• July 2024 - notice of funding opportunity
• September 27, 2024 - applications for projects due
• October 2024 - projects selected and applicants notified
• Fall 2024 - contract agreements finalized and funds begin to be dispersed to participants

To Apply

Applications for all four projects are due by September 27, 2024 and must provide all the required documents in order to be considered, based on this scorecard criteria(PDF, 134KB). To submit an application, please attach the application and all required documents via email to ACHDCAFGrants@alleghenycounty.us.

Open Forum

Two informational meetings will be held for eligible parties to learn more about the projects. 

Monday, August 5, 2024
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
K. Leroy Irvis Science Center, Room 302
845 Ridge Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Google Directions

Wednesday, August 7, 2024
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
West Mifflin Municipal Building, Council Chamber
1020 Lebanon Rd
West Mifflin, PA 15212
Google Directions

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Project #1: Urban Tree Planting 2024

This project offers the opportunity for funding to conduct an Urban Tree Planting Project(PDF, 387KB). This funding should be used to obtain, plant, and maintain planted trees. Funds may also be used to support for administrative costs, staff training, equipment, and supplies as needed.

Grant Amount

$150,000.00 total funds, with a maximum award of $50,000.00 per project. No more than three grants will be awarded for this category.

Projects for Consideration

Tree planting projects located in Allegheny County, PA that prioritize areas with low percentage of urban tree canopy and environmental justice areas, that provide a throughout cost-benefit analysis, and a thoughtfully-constructed  maintenance plan for sustaining the project. Priority will be given to projects which use native tree species.

Required Documents

1. Grant Application(PDF, 387KB) including cover page, project narrative, and budget narrative
2. Supplemental Organization Information
3. i-Tree Benefit Analysis Report (Excel file preferred)

Optional Documentation

• Community support letters
• Environmental justice information for proposed project area
• Map of project area

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Project #2: Electrification of Municipal Equipment 2024

Project #2 offers the opportunity for funding to conduct a Municipal Equipment Electrification Project(PDF, 239KB). This funding should be used to either replace diesel or gasoline fueled equipment. Funds may also be used for administrative costs, staff training, equipment, and supplies as needed.

Grant Amount

$450,000.00 total funds, with a maximum of $75,000.00 per project. No more than six grants will be awarded for this category.

Projects for Consideration

Only projects located in Allegheny County, PA that are replacing diesel fueled fleet vehicles with zero emission equivalents, or that are acquiring necessary infrastructure to support a zero-emission fleet will be considered. Additionally, projects should that clearly identify how project will address programmatic/community goals for applicant organization, including environmental justice concerns.

Required Documents

1. Grant Application(PDF, 239KB) with cover page, project narrative, and budget narrative
2. Supplemental Organization Information
3. ACHD Emission Quantifier Report(XLSX, 119KB) (Excel file preferred)

Optional Documentation

• Community support letters
• Environmental justice information for proposed project area

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Project #3: Fleet Electrification 2024

Project #3 offers the opportunity for funding to conduct a Fleet Electrification Project(PDF, 314KB). This funding should be used to either replace diesel fuel vehicles with zero emission equivalents and/or to purchase infrastructure to specifically support a zero-emission fleet. Funds may also be used for administrative costs, staff training, equipment, and supplies as needed.

Grant Amount

$2,400,000.00 total funds, with a maximum of $800,000.00 per project. No more than three grants will be awarded for this category.

Projects for Consideration

Only projects located in Allegheny County, PA that are replacing diesel fueled fleet vehicles with zero emission equivalents, or that are acquiring necessary infrastructure to support a zero-emission fleet will be considered. Additionally, projects should that clearly identify how project will address programmatic/community goals for applicant organization, including environmental justice concerns.

Required Documents 

1. Grant Application(PDF, 314KB) with cover page, project narrative, and budget narrative
2. Supplemental Organization Information
3. Diesel Emission Quantifier Report(XLSX, 119KB) (Excel file preferred)

Optional Documentation

• Community support letters
• Environmental justice information for proposed project area

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Project #4: Climate Resiliency/Climate Adaptation 2024

Project #4 offers the opportunity for funding to conduct a Climate Resiliency and Climate Adaptation Project(PDF, 361KB). This funding should be used to design, construct, and install projects to offset the impacts of climate related impacts and improve air quality. Funds may also be used to support for administrative costs, staff training, equipment, and supplies as needed.

Grant Amount

$2,000,000.00 total funds, with maximum award of $1,000,000.00 per project. No more than two grants will be awarded for this category.

Projects for Consideration

Only projects located in Allegheny County, PA that are focused on climate resiliency or adaptation strategies will be considered. This includes, and is not limited to: green roofs, storm water detention/retention projects, road design and construction, and renewable energy. Additionally, projects should that clearly identify how project will address programmatic/community goals for applicant organization, including environmental justice concerns. These funds may be used as additional funding for other grant opportunities.

Required Documents

1. Grant Application(PDF, 361KB) with cover page, project narrative, and budget narrative
2. Supplemental Organization Information
3. Emission reduction analysis

Optional Documentation

• Community support letters
• Environmental justice information for proposed project area