South Sacramento-Florin CERP Moves Toward Finalization

The draft Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) for the South Sacramento-Florin community continues to move forward following strong public engagement and feedback.

Draft Plan Released

The draft plan was released for public comment on January 16, 2026, with strategies translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, and Farsi, and accessible formats provided to ensure broader community access. The public comment period closed on February 15, 2026. The Air District received several comments, which were reviewed and addressed by the Air District and the Community Steering Committee (CSC) at its February CSC meeting and March Subcommittee meetings.

Attendees hear about CERP development and strategies during a Cleaner Air Partnership luncheon hosted by Valley Vision on January 30.

Strong Public Outreach

During the comment period, the Community Air Protection (CAP) team partnered with Valley Vision to host a Cleaner Air Partnership luncheon to share details of the plan and the process with local stakeholders. The CAP team also hosted a virtual public workshop in English via Zoom, with live interpreters available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, and Farsi. Throughout early 2026, the CAP team met directly with neighborhood associations, local businesses, chambers of commerce, and other community groups to share information and promote the comment period. This outreach helped ensure accessibility and understanding of the plan, reflecting local priorities and lived experiences.

Steering Committee Action

The CSC reviewed the public comments and provided responses and/or modified comments to address the comments. With these modifications, the CSC voted to approve the CERP and move it to the Air District’s Board of Directors.

Next Steps

The final CERP and comments received will be presented to the Sac Metro Air District Board of Directors for adoption and then submitted to the California Air Resources Board. Public comments will be accepted during the Board of Directors' public hearing in May.

As the plan moves forward, the Air District would like to recognize the dedication of the many CSC members, residents, and partners who contributed their time, ideas, and feedback over the past two years to help shape a healthier future for the South Sacramento-Florin community.

530 Trees Planted in South Sacramento to Improve Air Quality and Reduce Heat

The Sacramento Tree Foundation, in partnership with United Latinos, is implementing a Clean Air Project funded by Air District enforcement funds to increase the tree canopy in the AB 617 South Sacramento Florin community. Trees provide localized public health, air quality, and climate benefits, including particulate matter reduction and urban heat mitigation.

During the last quarter of 2025, the Sacramento Tree Foundation achieved the following under the Clean Air Project:

• Planted 530 trees at 169 sites
• Attended six community planting events 
• Engaged 234 community members
• Achieved almost half of the project’s planting goal of 1,075 trees

In addition to tree installation, project partners developed bilingual public service announcement materials, outreach tracking tools, and volunteer training frameworks to support continued outreach and community engagement. Additional planting events, watering workshops, and outreach activities are planned for the next quarter. At the Foundation’s current pace, the project is on track to meet—and likely exceed—its original tree-planting goal.

For information on upcoming Clean Air Project events, please visit the Sacramento Tree Foundation website.

New Partnership with AVL List GmbH Helps Sac Metro Air District Track Ultrafine Particle Concentrations in Sacramento County 

The Sac Metro Air District has completed nearly one year of ambient air data collection on ultrafine particle concentrations (UFPs) through a multi-year pilot monitoring network developed in partnership with AVL List GmbH, Austria.

A sub-set of PM2.5, UFPs are extremely small air pollutants—about 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair—that can travel deep into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream and other organs. While there are currently no national ambient air quality standards for UFPs, Europe is moving in that direction. In the US, this is an important topic for epidemiological research.

In 2025, the Air District installed the AVL UltraFine Particle Monitor™ at three of its monitoring stations across Sacramento County. The pilot network includes the Air District’s Bercut, Folsom, and Sloughhouse stations, representing roadway-impacted areas, neighborhood-scale, and rural environments. This allows the Air District and AVL to examine how ultrafine particle concentrations behave across the region.

The AVL instruments collect particle number counts continuously, 24 hours a day, providing a detailed look at seasonal, diurnal, and spatial trends. Study objectives also include the comparison of ambient UFP concentrations measured in Sacramento with those measured by AVL in Graz and Vienna. Over time, the data will help the Air District and AVL identify patterns in UFP concentrations and better understand how factors such as traffic activity, weather, and location influence concentrations.

The Air District’s pilot is the first monitoring network in the United States aligned with the new European Directive 2024/2881, an emerging international approach to ultrafine particle monitoring. The Air District’s project will contribute valuable data that can help researchers compare findings across regions.

Air District Executive Director Alberto Ayala recently presented preliminary data from the pilot network at the Coordinating Research Council’s Real World Emissions Workshop held in San Diego from March 8–11.

“This network represents a major step forward in the Sac Metro Air District’s commitment to understanding pollution,” said Dr. Alberto Ayala, Air District Executive Director. “By deploying cutting-edge UFP monitoring technology aligned with the EU’s air quality directive, the Air District and AVL are helping to lay the groundwork for better policies and stronger public health protections – not just locally, but as a model for communities across the country.”

Upgrade of Arden-Del Paso Air Monitoring Station Moving Forward

The Air District is making steady progress on the upgrade of its Arden-Del Paso ambient air monitoring station, an important investment in its air quality monitoring network and public health.

The project includes replacing the existing structure with a new building and installing state-of-the-art equipment. Maintaining and modernizing monitoring infrastructure ensures the Air District can continue to collect data of the highest quality to support identifying air quality trends, responding to emerging challenges, and providing communities with trusted information about the air they breathe.

The project is expected to be completed in late spring or early summer. 

Clean Air and Climate Resilience Solutions

Sister City Agreement Strengthens International Collaboration

In early February, leaders and representatives from the City of Sacramento, SMUD, Sacramento State, Crocker Art Museum, local businesses, and the Sac Metro Air District traveled to Morelia, Mexico, to formalize a new sister-city agreement aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration. Sponsored by SMUD and Volaris, the visit marked a new effort to promote social, economic, educational, and cultural development as well as create new clean energy and workforce opportunities for both cities.

City of Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra, SMUD Board President Dave Tamayo, Air District Executive Director Alberto Ayala, and other leaders met with Morelia’s elected officials to explore common challenges, exchange strategies, and share lessons learned.

“When cities share ideas and solutions, everyone benefits. Air pollution doesn’t stop at the border, so our work to clean the air can’t stop there either,” said Ayala.

This agreement creates a framework for long-term collaboration that supports healthier communities and a more sustainable future for all.

A New Season, A New Game Plan for Clean Air

Just as we pack away winter coats and say goodbye to wintertime smoke, a different air quality challenge is ready to roll in.

While winter air pollution is shaped by wood smoke, summer air pollution is driven by car exhaust and heat. So, when the season changes, the Air District adjusts its focus, tackling the most pressing pollution challenges to help keep our skies clearer and our communities healthier.

Check Before You Burn

From November 1 through the end of February, the Check Before You Burn program helps cut fine particle pollution (PM2.5) by limiting wood burning on days when air quality is forecast to be poor. This past season, there were 16 days with burning restrictions, 186 complaints received, and 6 enforcement actions taken.

These temporary burning restrictions help protect public health and keep our region’s air cleaner, which also supports continued funding for local transportation projects.

Spare The Air

With winter behind us, Check Before You Burn has ended, and Spare The Air season begins May 1.

From May 1 through October 31, a Spare The Air alert will be issued when the Air Quality Index is forecast to reach 126 or higher. On those days, small choices can make a big difference. Carpool, bike, telework, or take public transit to help reduce emissions.

Cleaner air is a year-round effort. By staying informed and making a few new everyday habits, we can all do our part.

Check current conditions and sign up for Air Alerts at www.SpareTheAir.com.

Air District Expertise in the Spotlight

Air District leadership and staff are regularly invited to speak at panels, forums, and conferences on air quality, climate policy, clean transportation, and emerging technologies. These engagements highlight the Air District’s regional leadership and technical expertise.

Below is a roundup of some recent and upcoming speaking engagements and events featuring Air District employees.

Speaker Events

• H2 Infrastructure Summit, Orange County (February 4–5, 2026): Air Quality Specialist Victoria Peña presented on the Sacramento region’s coordinated approach to advancing hydrogen infrastructure. She highlighted the Four-Agency Partnership between SMUD, SacRT, SACOG, and the Air District to align regional priorities under the Zero-Emission Vehicle Deployment Strategy. Her presentation addressed barriers to hydrogen deployment in California, showcased the Sierra Northern Railway hydrogen locomotive switcher project at the Port of West Sacramento, and outlined key considerations for companies pursuing hydrogen projects in the state.

• Latino Community Action Forum, Sacramento (February 28, 2026): APCO Alberto Ayala spoke at this community-led, data-driven convening focused on developing a shared regional agenda for 2026. He represented the Air District’s commitment to advancing clean air and a low-carbon future while engaging directly with community leaders and stakeholders.

• 36th Coordinating Research Council Real World Emissions Workshop, San Diego (March 8-11, 2026): APCO Alberto Ayala presented preliminary data from the Air District’s ultrafine particle monitoring network pilot in partnership with AVL.

• 16th VERT Forum & VERT Focus Day, Switzerland (March 19-20, 2026): At the invitation of the Association for Verification for Emission Reduction Technologies, APCO Alberto Ayala presented a session on vehicle particle emission control in the US and California during this specialized conference focusing on the latest developments in emission measurement and reduction technology. While in Bern, Dr. Ayala also met with the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment and delivered two presentations on California’s clean air and climate priorities and Dieselgate – the Volkswagen cheating scandal.

• Cap-to-Cap 2026, Washington, D.C. (April 18–22, 2026): APCO Alberto Ayala, Director of Administrative Services Megan Shepard, and Director of Engineering and Compliance Amy Roberts will represent the District at the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Capitol-to-Capitol program. The team will advocate for federal funding and policy support for high-priority regional initiatives, including Biomass Energy 2.0 investments and other clean energy and air quality projects.

• AEP 2026 State Conference, San Diego (April 23-26, 2026): Program Manager Paul Philley will speak during a session focused on regional issues and approaches to climate change challenges.

Outreach & Educational Events

Air District staff also engage in community events to share information about District programs and industry events and conferences to stay informed on emerging technologies and best practices.

Below is a roundup of some recent and upcoming speaking events.

• Folsom’s Railroad Legacy: Celebrating the Route That Built a Region, Folsom (March 4, 2026): APCO Alberto Ayala, Transportation and Climate Change Division Director Jaime Lemus, Air Quality Specialist Victoria Peña, and Air Quality Engineer Celida Lizarraga joined District Board of Directors Chair Sarah Aquino, a City of Folsom councilmember, other city leaders and regional partners for a community celebration honoring the railroad’s historic impact. They provided information on a current air quality project developing zero-emission fuel cell electric switcher locomotives in partnership with Sierra Northern Railway and operating at the port of West Sacramento.

• Revitalize South Sac Summit, South Sacramento (March 5, 2026): District staff tabled at this event to share information about the Community Air Protection program and the current Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) for South Sacramento-Florin.

• CivicWell Policymakers Conference, Yosemite (March 12-15, 2026): Director of Administrative Service Megan Shepard and Director of Engineering and Compliance Amy Roberts attended this conference, designed to support local officials with tools and partnership opportunities to implement innovative climate solutions locally.

• ECOS Earth Day 2026 (April 26, 2026): Air monitoring staff will table at this Earth Day event at Southside Park to share air quality and Community Air Protection program information.

• Smoke Screen: The Volkswagen Dieselgate Cheating Scandal (May 2026): Cipherlock Press will release the first edition of APCO Alberto Ayala’s new book Smoke Screen: The VW Dieselgate Scandal, which relates his personal story 10 years ago leading CARB regulators towards uncovering and resolving the VW violations of the state’s vehicle emission standards. 

• ACT Expo, Las Vegas, NV (May 4–6, 2026): APCO Alberto Ayala, Transportation and Climate Change Division Director Jaime Lemus, and District Board of Directors Chair and Folsom City Councilmember Sarah Aquino will attend this leading advanced transportation and fleet technology conference to explore the latest zero-emission vehicle technologies and infrastructure solutions.

• NACAA Spring Members Meeting, St Louis (May 12-13): APCO Alberto Ayala, who is also a NACAA Vice-President, Director of Administrative Services Megan Shepard, and Director of Engineering and Compliance Amy Roberts will participate in this meeting to represent the Sac Metro Air District. Dr. Ayala will present on recent efforts on ultrafine particle monitoring in ambient air and deliver some remarks on his recent book “Smoke Screen: The VW Dieselgate Scandal.” 

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