The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today approved the first five-year update to an enlightened statewide strategy for the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) that it claims is designed to improve air quality at the local scale in collaboration with residents. The updated strategy, Blueprint 2.0, adds three new tools to the program: the use of community air grants to support local emissions-reduction plans; flexibility in the use of incentives funds to meet community goals; and community-focused enforcement. (AutoInformed:CARB Approves Toyota HD Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain Kit)
“Blueprint 2.0 is an example of equity-driven innovation that puts a spotlight on the environmental challenges that overburdened communities face and engages residents so that solutions are informed by their priorities and needs,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “With today’s vote, we expanded the tools that residents have to work toward cleaner air and healthier communities.”
The first Blueprint was approved CARB in 2018 after the passage of AB 617 in 2017, which provided guidance for air districts and communities for community-driven efforts that would reduce air pollution in communities affected by a high cumulative exposure burden.
Communities have prioritized actions varying from replacing dirty diesel engines, installing zero-emission infrastructure, expanding the use of air filters to other sensitive locations such as day cares and residences, and implementing land-use related projects such as truck rerouting studies and vegetative barrier projects.
Through the enlightened use incentives, the Community Air Protection Program has contributed significant emissions reductions. CARB estimates that statewide since 2018, these reductions include 17,100 tons of nitric oxide (NOx), 1,390 tons of Reactive Organic Gases and 790 tons of particulate matter. More than one-third of those reductions have taken place in communities, which represent close to 4 million Californians or 10% of the state’s population.
Currently, there are 19 communities in the program with most working with their local air district to develop or implement plans to reduce emissions and exposures across the state, including in South Los Angeles, Arvin/Lamont, the International Border Community and East Oakland.
Together, the approved plans developed by the communities and approved by CARB’s Board include hundreds of actions. Examples:
- Portside Environmental Justice Communities: San Diego’s Portside communities discussed and prioritized specific actions to reduce emissions from pollution sources such as those related to the port. To address this priority, the Port of San Diego and the Air District worked to put in place the nation’s first all-electric tugboat, which will reduce 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, and the nation’s first pair of all-electric mobile harbor cranes.
- Wilmington/Carson/West Long Beach: Emissions from oil and gas wells are a priority for these communities and monitoring revealed elevated emissions. The South Coast Air Quality Management District conducted 51 inspections, resulting in 21 notices of violation.
- Los Angeles: More than 160 signs were posted in communities near the Wilmington and Boyle Heights communities, which sit alongside the port and near industrial areas, respectively, to inform truck drivers that idling was prohibited.
- El Centro-Heber-Calexico Corridor: Imperial County’s corridor communities include actions that reduce emissions and exposure to children such as providing new air filters in schools, school bus electrification, as well as projects to pave roads in the community.
- San Joaquin Valley: Each of the selected San Joaquin Valley communities have conducted truck-route studies to help inform options on alternative routes that can be used by heavy-duty trucks to remove the impact of their operations in heavily populated communities.
- West Oakland: Bay Area’s West Oakland community focused its efforts on moving toward a zero-emission port, reducing car trips and road dust, and cleaning up local industry. Its plan has led to actions that includes the replacement of two locomotives with cleaner alternatives, which will achieve a 90% reduction in particulate matter emissions, and the introduction of 15 electric buses by the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District to service the area.
CARB Expands Community Air Protection Program
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today approved the first five-year update to an enlightened statewide strategy for the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) that it claims is designed to improve air quality at the local scale in collaboration with residents. The updated strategy, Blueprint 2.0, adds three new tools to the program: the use of community air grants to support local emissions-reduction plans; flexibility in the use of incentives funds to meet community goals; and community-focused enforcement. (AutoInformed:CARB Approves Toyota HD Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain Kit)
“Blueprint 2.0 is an example of equity-driven innovation that puts a spotlight on the environmental challenges that overburdened communities face and engages residents so that solutions are informed by their priorities and needs,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “With today’s vote, we expanded the tools that residents have to work toward cleaner air and healthier communities.”
The first Blueprint was approved CARB in 2018 after the passage of AB 617 in 2017, which provided guidance for air districts and communities for community-driven efforts that would reduce air pollution in communities affected by a high cumulative exposure burden.
Communities have prioritized actions varying from replacing dirty diesel engines, installing zero-emission infrastructure, expanding the use of air filters to other sensitive locations such as day cares and residences, and implementing land-use related projects such as truck rerouting studies and vegetative barrier projects.
Through the enlightened use incentives, the Community Air Protection Program has contributed significant emissions reductions. CARB estimates that statewide since 2018, these reductions include 17,100 tons of nitric oxide (NOx), 1,390 tons of Reactive Organic Gases and 790 tons of particulate matter. More than one-third of those reductions have taken place in communities, which represent close to 4 million Californians or 10% of the state’s population.
Currently, there are 19 communities in the program with most working with their local air district to develop or implement plans to reduce emissions and exposures across the state, including in South Los Angeles, Arvin/Lamont, the International Border Community and East Oakland.
Together, the approved plans developed by the communities and approved by CARB’s Board include hundreds of actions. Examples: