Moving Forward Together: A Year of Clean Air Progress

Watch our 2025 Holiday Video for a brief look at last year's accomplishments.

As 2025 comes to a close, the Air District reflects on a year marked by community partnership, innovation, and measurable progress toward cleaner air for all.

From highlighting the successful attainment of the 2008 ozone standards and expanding clean transportation incentives to piloting an ultrafine particle air monitoring network and completing the draft South Sacramento–Florin Community Emissions Reduction Plan, 2025 was a year of collaboration and momentum.

In 2026, the Air District will continue building on that foundation with a focus on:

• Emission Reductions: Implementation of the adopted AB 617 Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) strategies will be a core effort for the Air District in the coming year.
• Hydrogen & Biomass: The Air District is committed to advancing hydrogen and biomass 2.0 projects as part of the clean energy transition.
• Mobility Hubs: As part of a multi-agency ZEV Deployment strategy, the Air District will continue to work with partners to advance clean mobility hubs offering carsharing and EV services to reach its goal of 52 hubs around the region.
• Clean Cars 4 All: The Air District will continue to promote EV and e-bike ownership through Clean Cars 4 All, ensuring the transition to clean mobility is possible for all residents in our region.
• Lawn & Garden: Continuing the legacy of former employee and program namesake, the Air District will work to expand its Charlene McGhee Memorial Lawn & Garden Program offerings, helping to improve air quality in our parks and green spaces.
• Asbestos: The Air District will work to improve asbestos oversight with additional on-the-ground field inspections of projects where asbestos is present that require significant controls to protect the health of the public and workers.
• Online Services: Streamlining the Air District’s digital online services platform to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness will be in sharp focus for 2026.

These priorities and a comprehensive look at last year’s projects are highlighted in the 2025 Community Report, which will be released following the Air District’s January Board of Directors meeting.

After January 22, visit www.AirQuality.org/EducationalMaterials to read the complete 2025 Community Report and see how we’re working together to keep our region’s air healthier and our communities thriving.

Draft South Sacramento-Florin CERP to be Released Mid-January

The last quarter of 2025 saw the much-anticipated conclusion of more than two years of collaboration, work groups, and meetings as the Steering Committee advanced a draft Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) for public comment. The draft is anticipated to be released mid-January.

The Air We Share Recap

On October 15, more than 70 residents and 17 Community Steering Committee members joined the Air District for The Air We Share, a lively meeting focused on draft strategies for the CERP and sharing findings from the Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP).

Participants learned about local air quality data, reviewed proposed CERP Strategies, and shared feedback on the priorities that matter most to their neighborhoods. Attendees also enjoyed a free meal from Hefty Gyro and prize giveaways, including air purifiers and movie ticket packs.

Recent Steering Committee Meetings

At the October 27 meeting, the Steering Committee met for an interactive prioritization exercise to help the Air District understand which strategies the community wanted to implement most urgently with limited funding, utilizing the feedback from the data sharing event held on October 15. The conversation continued at the November 17 meeting, where committee members participated in a budgeting exercise to explore how funding could be allocated. After months of hard work and collaboration, the Steering Committee voted at the December 8 meeting to approve the draft CERP strategies for public comment.

Public Comment

The Air District will share specifics of the plan with community members and stakeholders with comprehensive outreach opportunities throughout January. The Air District invites you to review the draft plan and share any comments by the published deadline.

Once released, please visit www.AirQuality.org/CAP to read the plan, explore strategies, submit your comments, and for a listing of upcoming outreach meetings.

Annual Reports Due March 15, 2026

Updated and Expanded Climate Priorities Plan for the Capital Region Released

The Air District and 29 regional partners have released an expanded Comprehensive Capital Region Climate Priorities Plan under the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The update brings the region’s seven counties — El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba — together around a shared set of strategies to cut greenhouse gas emissions and support local climate action.

This new Comprehensive Plan, published in December 2025, builds on the original 2024 plan and adds measures responding to the region’s current needs. Two additional strategies were added, bringing the total to 26, with a stronger focus on helping residents cope with rising energy costs. The measures are organized into four areas: the built environment, energy, transportation, and natural and working lands. A new chapter on funding and financing gives jurisdictions clearer options for bringing projects to life.

To help communities move from planning to action, the Air District and its partners also developed implementation roadmaps for eight priority measures. Each roadmap outlines key steps, lead agencies, partners, timelines, potential challenges, community impacts, and cost-effectiveness. Together, these roadmaps support local governments as they advance projects such as infill development, zero-emission transportation, renewable energy installations, wildfire resilience work, and sustainable farming practices.

A copy of the plan is available at www.AirQuality.org/CPRG.

MaRTy Data: Preliminary Findings from Regional Heat Mitigation Project

In summer 2025, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) began work on its Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program grant to install heat-resilient bus shelters in high-need neighborhoods. To support the project, the Air District partnered with SacRT to measure heat exposure at local bus stops and evaluate how shade affects rider comfort, using a new tool called MaRTy.

MaRTy is a mobile weather sensor developed by Arizona State University that measures the heat a person experiences outdoors by tracking both direct sunlight and heat coming off surrounding surfaces. This information helps pinpoint locations where residents face higher heat stress during the summer.

As part of the project, Air District staff collected mean radiant temperature (MRT) data at several bus stops during peak afternoon hours. Measurements at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. show substantial differences between shaded and unshaded locations. On average, shade reduced MRT by about 34 degrees Fahrenheit at 1:00 p.m. and about 44 degrees at 3:00 p.m. Depending on the time of day, moving into the shade lowered a person’s heat exposure by roughly 27 percent. Rider surveys also pointed to the need for improvements, with 77 percent of participants saying they want cooler, more comfortable waiting areas.

This collaboration with SacRT will continue this summer when the MaRTy team measures heat levels under the newly installed shelters. The Air District also plans to apply MaRTy data to future heat adaptation projects throughout the region. As extreme heat intensifies, these insights will help shape practical solutions that improve public comfort, safety, and resilience.

Clean Air and Climate Resilience Solutions

Air District Expertise in the Spotlight

Air District leadership and staff regularly speak on panels, forums, and at meetings on a variety of air quality and climate issues as experts in their fields. Here is a roundup of recent speaking engagements and other recognitions featuring Air District employees.

Past Events

• Herald Community Breakfast (October 25, 2025): Program Manager Angela Thompson shared with Herald residents how to conduct outdoor burns safely and legally. She also provided information about required permits, rules, and how responsible burning supports wildfire prevention and community health.
• CARB One-Stop Truck Event (December 9, 2025): Air Quality Engineers Kristian Damkier and Brian Dole attended the event to share information on the Air District’s incentive programs with fleets subject to state regulations for trucks, construction equipment, and other mobile sources.

Clean Energy Champions Awards



Transportation and Climate Change Director Jaime Lemus was recently recognized by the California Energy Commission as a Clean Energy Champion. The awards honor individuals who are tackling climate change and advancing California’s clean energy future through bold action, strong leadership, and innovative ideas, while helping deliver meaningful benefits to communities across the state. Congratulations, Jaime!

Check Before You Burn Runs Through February

As winter continues, the Air District reminds residents and businesses in Sacramento County that the Check Before You Burn law runs through the end of February 2026.

During this time, wood burning in fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, and other wood-burning devices is restricted on days when PM2.5 forecast is high. These restrictions help protect public health and keep our air clean during the coldest months, when pollution from wood smoke tends to linger.

Before lighting a wood-burning fire, check the daily burn status at AirQuality.org or by calling 1-877-NO-BURN-5 (1-877-662-8765). Be sure to follow us on X and Facebook for daily burn status posts.

Let’s work together to keep Sacramento’s winter air healthier for everyone.