Application Questions
What should I keep in mind when designing a Supplemental Environmental Project?
Use the Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Policy as a guide to developing the project concept. Consider the selection criteria listed in the policy. Here are examples:
1. Does my proposal fall into one or more of the Project Categories?
Refer to the eligible project types listed above.
2. Does the project provide any direct emission reduction or reduce exposure to air pollution?
Describe how air emissions or exposure to air pollution is reduced. Be sure to include the specific compounds or air pollutants targeted by the project (e.g. diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds, etc.).
3. Does your project benefit a District Priority Community?
District priority communities are communities identified through the District's AB617 Community Air Protection Program or identified as high to medium sensitivity on SMUD's Sustainable Communities Resource Priorities Map. Refer to the resource section above.
The project application will walk you through these questions. If you have any additional questions, contact us at
compliance@airquality.org.
If my project proposal is not eligible for listing, can I revise my proposal and resubmit it?
Yes, we will notify you by email regarding why the project was not eligible for listing. You can revise and resubmit proposals based on the District's feedback as long as the solicitation is still open. You are encouraged to follow up with the District and ask questions.
Can I submit multiple proposals or submit a proposal for an ongoing project?
Yes, you can submit multiple proposals or submit a proposal for an ongoing project that meets the District's qualifying criteria.
For ongoing projects, you should clearly describe the project, the status, milestones achieved, and future milestones or needs to make the project successful.
Can I submit my proposal at any time during the year?
Not at this time. We are only accepting applications during the specified timeframes listed on the Supplemental Environmental Project webpage.
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What if I have questions about completing my SEP Proposal?
The District recognizes that not all proposals will be fully developed and will provide reasonable assistance to help you satisfy the program requirements. If you have any questions, contact us at compliance@airquality.org.
Project Review Questions
What happens once the District receives my application?
District staff will send an email notification indicating that the proposal has been received and is under review. The District will do a quick check to make sure all fields are complete. The application review will begin after the solicitation closes. Our goal is to notify all applicants of their final project status within 30 days of the solicitation closing.
There are 3 potential outcomes:
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Your project meets the qualifying criteria and is approved. We will notify you by email that your project is eligible and place it on our SEP Eligibility List.
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Your project tentatively meets the qualifying criteria. We need more information before we can fully approve your project and will reach out for additional information before listing.
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Your proposal does not meet qualifying criteria. We will notify you by email why the project was not eligible for listing.
Selected Project Questions
How can my proposal be selected for funding?
When a company or individual has failed to comply with the District's rules and/or regulations, they typically must pay a monetary civil penalty to resolve the violation. The violator can voluntarily agree to fund an eligible clean air project to offset a portion of the penalty amount.
For a project to be selected, it must be a in a district priority community and there typically needs to be a connection between the pollutant or location of where the violation occurred.
What happens if my proposal is selected for funding?
When a violator selects a clean air project for funding, the project list is updated to show the project is funded with the amount.
You will be notified and the details of the project will be added to the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement is between the Violator and the District. Completing your project is now a condition of settling the violation. The Violator will be responsible for reporting project status updates back to the District.
What should I do after receiving the funds for my project?
As the SEP Recipient, once you receive your funds you can start work on your project. You will need to report back to the Violator with status updates for your project. The Violator is responsible for reporting back on the project status to the District.
What should I do after my project is completed?
When the scope of work is complete, the Violator will need to submit a final report back to the District. Their report needs to contain an overview of the accomplished objectives, achieved milestones, and any encountered obstacles during the SEP implementation.
Once the District has received and approved the final report, the original violation will be closed, and the settlement agreement will be complete.
