Do you have concerns about health in the Richmond-San Pablo area? I hope you'll join me this weekend at a summit on a  new community initiative to improve health and air quality in our neighborhoods. 

Under a state law passed in 2017 (AB617), the California Air Resources Board ( CARB), established the Community Air Protection Program to improve air in the most polluted communities of the state. Richmond-San Pablo is one of ten areas selected for additional air monitoring and the development of a pollution reduction plan. 

The  Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is working with our local community to carry out this effort. 

As a member of CARB and the Air District, I've helped establish guidelines for the program, and worked hard to ensure it stays true to its goal of producing a community-driven plan to clean the air of Richmond-San Pablo. 

This summit, scheduled for Saturday at 10 am in Richmond, is a chance to engage with  community members and Air District staff to learn about and help shape the plan. 

The smoky air of the past week is a reminder of the challenges of air pollution. While we can't always prevent wildfire smoke, we can reduce emissions from industrial facilities, trucks, rail and ships. The community program is focusing on these sources of pollution.

We also have a right to know what's in our air, to both help prevent unhealthy exposures and to strategize for improvement. 

WHEN: Saturday, November 2, 10 am to 1:30 pm  

WHERE: Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza 

COST: Free. Open to the public. 

MORE: Please RSVP here.