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Within two weeks of releasing its final determination that lead emissions from aircraft were endangering public health, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a $776,636 grant in support of transitioning from leaded gasoline to an unleaded alternative in California's disadvantaged communities.
U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff announced the grant at an event in San Jose on Oct. 31 with U.S. Rep Zoe Lofgren and local officials. The grant was given to the California Department of Public Health and will provide technical assistance to general aviation airports in disadvantaged communities, aiding in the transition from leaded avgas to unleaded avgas.RELATED STORY:EPA determines leaded fuel endangers public health, aviation coalition responds
"This grant will reduce exposure to harmful pollution in disadvantaged communities across California, helping safeguard residents who have disproportionately faced health threats for too long," EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said. "EPA is proud to support projects that improve public health, prevent pollution at the source and advance environmental justice."
"Investing in the transition to unleaded fuel is a smart and necessary move, and I commend the EPA for focusing its resources on this environmental justice issue," Lofgren said. "Recently, through a finalized endangerment finding, the EPA confirmed what families living in East San Jose sadly know all too well - leaded avgas is a dangerous pollutant. Leaders at all levels of government need to urgently act to free communities of airborne lead pollution."
The California Department of Public Health will provide assistance like voluntary business roundtable discussion training and the development of educational materials and case studies. The project is expected to improve human health and the environment surrounding disadvantaged communities. These communities were identified through the state's CalEnviroScreen and the project will work to reduce harmful lead emissions. The recent grant is one of two in California funded by the EPA this year. The second is going toward the University of California at Los Angeles, made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The EPA's Pollution Prevention grants will propel the President's Justice40 Initiative, projected to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of some federal investments to disadvantaged communities which are "marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution," according to the EPA. By ensuring the greater availability and safer, more sustainable products the agency can reduce the harmful exposure to residents and in turn, create a better marketplace.
Between 2011 and 2021 the EPA has issued nearly 500 grants through its Pollution Prevention program, totaling over $50 million. These grants have aided in the identification, development and adoption of many pollution prevention approaches. These approaches have helped to eliminate 19.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 49 billion gallons of water, reduced 917 million pounds of hazardous materials and pollutants, and saved over $2.2 billion for business.
Through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these efforts have been bolstered, with a historic $100 million in support of the program's continued efforts. With an unprecedented federal investment, state and Tribal programs are being awarded grants without requirements to provide matching funds, expanding access to resources and broadening the applicant pool.
The EPA has worked with the FAA and other aviation organizations to begin the safe transition from leaded avgas to alternative fuels. The recent finding did not bring with it immediate change, but rather began a key, multi-step process in the removal of leaded fuel from communities across the nation. The transition will be done over a span of multiple years, with an end goal in the aviation industry of eliminating lead from gas fully by the end of 2030 or sooner. This multi-step process includes years of research, development, as well as significant trial and error.
General aviation aircraft are crucial, serving roles in transport, agriculture, cargo, medevac, flight training and search-and-rescue. The aviation industry is in favor of removing lead from gas, but desires a safe and smooth transition. Many of the aircraft using leaded avgas currently are smaller piston-engine aircraft and many are 45 years or older. Jet and commercial aircraft do not use leaded fue and many of the newer GA aircraft are compatible with unleaded fuel. Research and development is ongoing to find a solution for all aircraft, but there are unleaded options being implemented at airports across the U.S.
The grant money and continued efforts across the country will not only benefit businesses and communities but reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a larger scale These grants allow individual communities and businesses to determine what works and how to move forward based on specific needs. Successful practices will be shared, as well as any lesson learned in the process, so future communities and businesses will benefit and continue in the ongoing investment into innovation and development.
"Growing up in an underserved community, I know firsthand how harmful pollutants can affect the health of our neighborhoods," U.S. Senator Alex Padilla said. "Santa Clara County has led the nation in the transition to unleaded avgas, and I'm proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing funding to build upon that work and help other communities in California protect public health. Too often, our most disadvantaged communities have also faced the burden of pollution from leaded aviation fuels, and this grant will help chart a thoughtful pathway to a cleaner future."