SACRAMENTO -- Today the California Air Resources Board approved over $700,000 in grants to bolster the commercialization of three cutting-edge clean air technologies.

The projects, funded under the ARB's Innovative Clean Air Technologies program, include demonstrations of a big-rig truck trailer aerodynamic device, a specialized drivetrain for commercial vehicles and a stationary biogas engine.

"Taking an entrepreneurial idea to commercial success is often the most challenging part of business," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "These grants are the seed money that will bring California new, green technologies that will enliven our economy and clean our air."

Three projects were selected for their potential to support ARB programs and initiatives, and lead to emission reductions in California:

• Advanced Transit Dynamics, Inc. (South San Francisco) will receive $249,194 to demonstrate its active flow control technology to improve the fuel economy of Class 8 tractor-trailers by 6-10 percent, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions toward the AB 32 Scoping Plan adopted by the Board in December;
• Eaton Corp. (Eden Prairie, Minn.) will receive $214,401 to demonstrate its series hybrid hydraulic drivetrain on a package delivery vehicle to cut greenhouse gas emissions generated from commercial vehicles; and,
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District will receive $246,309 to demonstrate the use of a system using dairy digester gases that will significantly reduce emissions from stationary biogas engines to meet strict California emission standards.

At least 50 percent of a project's total cost must come from matching funds and 10 percent must be committed by the grantee. Criteria for project selection include: the potential air quality benefit, readiness for commercialization in California, project quality and synchronicity with ARB's existing programs.

ARB staff review proposals looking for technologies and projects that promote emission reductions in California by introducing a new prevention or control technology, augmenting the degree of control provided by an existing technology, reducing the cost or other practical impediment, or increasing scope of application. Proposals that meet these and other criteria are then recommended to the Board for its approval.

Since its inception in 1993, the Innovative Clean Air Technologies program has provided 63 grants, for a total of approximately $12.7 million, including today's grants. Any new, technically challenging technology or application that supports ARB's programs and goals, while benefiting the state's economy, may be considered for a grant.

Examples of particularly successful past demonstration projects include:

• An electric school bus with integrated fast-charge capability; $140,000 granted to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 2001;
• Solar crop drying system for farm products such as nuts, prunes and herbs; $150,000 granted to Conserval Engineering in 2000; and
• Electric diesel particulate filter for in-use diesel engines; $71,400 granted to Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls in 2004.

More information about the Innovative Clean Air Technologies program, and projects it supports, is available here.