on August 8, 2019
VICTORVILLE — New airliner tug vehicles purchased with a Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) grant will allow local business, ComAv, to operate more efficiently, while cutting more than 2.5 tons per year of emissions.
Thanks to Carl Moyer funding provided by MDAQMD, ComAv (Commercial Aviation Services) – which handles premier airliner asset management and technical services – replaced two 1976 International Diesel Tugs with two 2019 Towbar Tractor B950s, reducing emissions by 96%. MDAQMD’s funds covered 71.5% of the cost of the new equipment.
“We are very appreciative of the Mojave Desert AQMD and their very significant contribution to ComAv’s continuing investment to upgrade its Ground Support Equipment to the highest air quality standards and efficiency available,” said ComAv CEO Craig Garrick. “I cannot say enough about the professionalism of the AQMD staff and the department’s overall support for the growing number of high paying jobs at ComAv and for other employers in the High Desert generally.”
Carl Moyer grant funding is just one of many funding opportunities available through MDAQMD, which already this year has worked to purchase electric school buses for local districts, and replace several pieces of equipment for High Desert Cement companies with low-emission equivalents, including $1 million toward a new locomotive for Victorville CEMEX.
“We’ve really kicked our grant programs into high gear over the last year and it is making a significant, tangible improvement in the air that High Desert residents are breathing,” said Brad Poiriez, Executive Director of MDAQMD. “We’re fortunate to have great working relationships with our permit holders and the local business community, which makes executing these grant agreements seamless and expedient.”
The grant money also allowed ComAv to free up money to purchase a new low-emission forklift, continuing their efforts to improve efficiency and air quality.
“We are excited to be able to have an all Tier 4 heavy fleet thanks to the efforts and funding from the Mojave AQMD,” said Dave Murphy, Director of Environmental, Health & Safety Assurance.
