CHEVY CHASE, MD — RadTech - The Association for UV & EB Technology is reporting that the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) announced $5,040,000 in new funding for projects that reduce emissions from hexavalent chromium facilities. The incentive program was launched in anticipation of a regulatory proposal by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that includes a future ban of hexavalent chromium for metal plating and chromic acid anodizing operations.

According to SCAQMD staff, the new funding and accompanying solicitation would provide incentive funds for hexavalent chromium facilities to switch to trivalent chromium plating technologies or other less toxic alternatives in lieu of hexavalent chromium. RadTech has long advocated for any incentive program to leave the door open to UV/EB/LED projects and UV+EB materials should be considered for the funding as they are “other less toxic” alternatives. The program targets projects in environmental justice communities (those that are heavily burdened by air pollution) in Southern California that would “achieve emission reductions beyond existing regulatory requirements, and further decreases community exposure to hexavalent chromium”.