Regional Gas Can Replacement Program

Portable gas cans, like those used to fuel lawnmowers, account for a significant amount of smog-forming emissions escaping into the air every day. Emissions from gas cans occur from evaporation through the can. By using newer gas cans with features such as shut off valves, harmful gasoline vapors can be reduced by 75%.

Clean Air Counts is a northeastern Illinois regional initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions, thereby improving air quality and enabling economic development. It is a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Begun in 2000, Clean Air Counts provides an innovative non-regulatory approach to voluntarily reduce emission by promoting cost effective clean air strategies to help the region attain and maintain compliance with Federal standards.

Clean Air Counts is offering up to six gas can replacement program grants to Chicago area municipalities. Administered through the City of Chicago Department of Environment, Energy and Air Quality Division, grant recipients will receive an award of up to $3,300 and technical assistance from the City of Chicago.

To participate in the Gas Can Replacement Grant Program, you must comply with the following guidelines:

• Applicant must be a municipality in the six county Chicagoland region
• Applicant must be a member of Clean Air Counts by joining the Campaign and adopting voluntary emission reduction strategies.
• Applicant, if selected to receive funds, must complete an online report on its gas can replacement program
• Register Online at Gas Can Replacement Online Application. Information necessary to complete the form includes:
  
  1. Date and location of event
  2. Number of old gas cans exchanged
  3. Number and model/manufacturer of new gas cans distributed
  4. Explanation of how old gas cans were disposed