SJVAPCD Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program March 2025 Program Guidelines
COMMUNITY INCENTIVES
Clean Alternatives to Fireworks
Pilot Incentive Program
Eligibility Criteria and Program Guidelines
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) is accepting applications for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program. This pilot program provides incentives to public and private entities to fund clean firework alternatives, such as drone light shows, in lieu of a portion or all of a large - scale fireworks display performed within SJVAPCD boundaries celebrating the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, and other celebratory public gatherings.
Application Period
Opens: Monday, March 3, 2025
Closes: By 5:00pm on Friday, May 2, 2025
Applications received during this solicitation period will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility for program funds, and will be funded based on date of application submittal, location, and availability of program funding. Applicants must have an executed contract with the SJVAPCD prior to the event applied for in order to receive grant funding.
Program guidelines and applications are available on the SJVAPCD’s website at:
https://ww2.valleyair.org/grants/fireworks-alternatives
For questions about the program or application process, please contact us by phone or email:
(559) 230-5800
[email protected]
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
Grants and Incentives Department
1990 East Gettysburg Avenue
Fresno, CA 93726-0244
SJVAPCD Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program March 2025 Program Guidelines
Incentive Funding
For this solicitation, the maximum funding available for the pilot program is $250,000. This funding will be allocated per county based on population.
County Total Funding Allocation
San Joaquin $39,440
Stanislaus $31,900
Merced $23,840
Madera $19,940
Fresno $46,460
Kings $19,680
Tulare $29,820
Kern (Valley) $38,920
Total: $250,000
To allow for equitable participation in the program, for the first 30 days of the solicitation period, priority will be given to applicants that have not previously received funding for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program. Subsequent eligible applications received will be awarded funding on a first-come, first serve basis until program funds are exhausted. The funding awarded to eligible applicants will be limited to the maximum funding available per county, or the amount identified in the General Requirements table below, whichever is less.
General Requirements
* Approved clean alternatives to fireworks include drone shows, laser light shows, and other alternatives, as deemed eligible by the SJVAPCD on a case-by-case basis.
Maximum Incentive
Amount
• Up to 50% of total
eliglble costs
• Applicants must pay a
minimum cost-share of
50% of eligible costs
• Incentive cannot
exceed $20,000 per
event
• Applicants can only
apply for one event per
calendar year
Eligible Applicants
• Public entities:
• Such as counties,
cities, and school
districts
• Private entities:
• Such as private
organizations and non-
profits
Eligible Costs
• Contractor costs for
approved clean
alternatives to
fireworks*
• Local permitting costs
for the event
SJVAPCD Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program March 2025 Program Guidelines
Eligibility of Event
The SJVAPCD reserves the right to make the sole determination regarding the eligibility of the application.
Additional Requirements
1) If supplementing a fireworks display show, the event must comply with the California State Fireworks Law, California Health and Safety Code, Section 12500-12759 and the State Fireworks Regulations, Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6. These publications can be found at https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/fire-engineering-and- investigations/fireworks.
2) Applicants must obtain the appropriate local permit(s) required to implement and administer the event.
3) Applicants must obtain appropriate insurance coverage for the event:
a) Minimum $2 million policy of combined limits for bodily damage and property damage.
b) The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District must be named as an additional insured on the policy.
4) Applicants must show that a substantial reduction of large-scale fireworks will occur through the use of the approved clean firework alternative identified in the application. • Must be for the purpose of celebrating the Fourth of July or New Year's Eve, or other celebratory public outdoor eventsEvent Type • Must take place in a location within the SJVAPCD boundaries, which include the counties of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and the Valley portion of Kern Event
Location
• Must be a venue that can accomodate a large-scale public event • Neighborhood block parties and personal events are ineligibleEvent Venue SJVAPCD Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program March 2025 Program Guidelines
a) Example 1: This program may be an eligible option for an event that historically utilized fireworks transitioning completely away from, or significantly reducing (i.e. 50% reduction), the use of large-scale fireworks.
b) Example 2: This program may be an eligible option for a new celebratory event that proposes to use drones or other approved alternatives in lieu of utilizing large-scale fireworks.
5) Contractor(s) utilized by the applicant to conduct the fireworks alternative show must have the appropriate licenses for the type of service performed:
a) Drone shows:
i) Drones must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ii) Drone pilots must follow the FAA regulations, specifically UAS Rule Part 107. iii) Information can be found at https://www.faa.gov/uas.
b) Laser light shows:
i) Must follow the U.S Federal Food and Drug Administration protocol. Information can be found at https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/home-business-and- entertainment-products/laser-light-shows.
6) If applicant is awarded funding through the program, applicant must adhere to messaging and branding guidelines and requirements established by the SJVAPCD. Specific terms and conditions will be identified in the final grant agreement between the applicant and the SJVAPCD.
7) Applicant must have a fully executed agreement with the SJVAPCD prior to the event. a) Eligible costs shall be limited to services provided for the event identified in the application.
b) To assist with pre-event costs to secure a vendor(s), applicant may claim up to 50% of the incentive award (maximum of $10,000) towards eligible costs necessary for the preparation of the event including, but not limited to, deposits for the contractor performing the alternative to fireworks, permit fees, and insurance. Claims for these costs that were incurred before the event can be submitted to the SJVAPCD any time on or after the execution date of the grant agreement. Documentation such as contract details, receipts, and/or invoices substantiating costs will be required to be submitted with the claim.
c) Applicant shall not make final payment to the contractor they utilized for the alternative to fireworks until after their agreement with the SJVAPCD has been executed.
SJVAPCD Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program March 2025 Program Guidelines
Application Process
The SJVAPCD anticipates that the applicant will complete their project as specified in their grant agreement. However, if it is necessary for the applicant to deviate from their original proposed project, applicant should notify the SJVAPCD of the changes as early as possible. This will allow program staff the opportunity to assess the deviation to ensure the project remains eligible under the program guidelines.
Submission of
Application
• Applicant submits a complete application packet to the SJVAPCD • See Checklist on the application for a full list of required items and documentation for a complete application
Application
Review
• SJVAPCD reviews the application packet for completeness and eligibility
• Applications received during the solication period that are deemed eligible and complete will be awarded funding on a first-come, first-served basis, pending the availability of funds
• For incomplete applications, SJVAPCD staff will contact applicant and work with them to complete the application
• For ineligible applications, applicant will be notified with the determination
Funding
• Upon approval of funding, a draft grant agreement will be issued to the applicant for signature
• Once all signatures have been obtained from the applicant and the SJVAPCD, the agreement is considered fully executed. The applicant will have up to 12 months to complete their project and submit final claims for reimbursement.
• Grant agreements will be awarded for up to 50% of total eliglble costs (total awarded will not exceed $20,000)
SJVAPCD Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program March 2025 Program Guidelines
Reimbursement Process
Funding provided to applicants in this program is through a reimbursement process. The applicant must submit a claim to the SJVAPCD for eligible costs incurred. Upon receipt and approval of an eligible and complete claim, the SJVAPCD will reimburse the applicant for eligible costs, up to the maximum incentive awarded.
In addition to a copy of their executed agreement, the applicant will receive a Payment Procedures packet, which will include instructions on how to submit a claim to the SJVAPCD for reimbursement. The claim process to receive reimbursement is as follows:
Submission
of Claim
• Submit a complete claim to the SJVAPCD:
• See Checklist in the Payment Procedures packet for a full list of items and documentation required for a complete claim • Claims can be submitted incrementally as eligible costs are incurred. Applicant does not have to wait until the
completion of the event and/or all eligble costs have been incurred to submit a claim and seek reimbursement.
Claim
Review
• SJVAPCD reviews the claim for completeness and eligibility:
• Only eligible costs incurred can be claimed
• For incomplete claims, applicant may be contacted for further information or additional documentation
• For ineligible claims, applicant will be notified for ineligibility Payment
• Payment will be issued to applicants for complete and eligible claims within approximately 45 working days from the date the claim was deemed complete
• Actual funding paid to the applicant may be reduced if the total invoiced costs of eligible items are less than the maximum funding awarded in the grant agreement