The Air District's Board of Directors has approved the grant guidelines for the Local Community Benefits Fund, marking a major milestone for the Bay Reinvesting Penalties for Air Improvement and Resilience program, or Bay REPAIR program. The program will begin accepting grant applications on Jan. 29, 2026, opening a new opportunity for community-led projects that reduce air pollution, improve public health and strengthen community resilience in Benicia, Richmond and surrounding communities.

The Air District’s Clean HEET Program is now accepting applications for grants that can help to offset the cost of switching from wood-burning or pellet-burning stoves, fireplace inserts or open-hearth fireplaces to an electric heat pump. A decommission-only option is also available for homeowners to remove existing open-hearth fireplaces or older, uncertified wood-burning stoves or inserts. Switching to an electric heat pump helps improve air quality in communities by replacing polluting wood-burning devices with cleaner heating options. 

The Air District is extending a Spare the Air Alert through Sunday, January 18, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors. A Spare the Air Alert remains in effect today, Saturday, January 17.