SLOCleanAir Winter 2020 e-Newsletter

In November, the APCD Hearing Board held a hearing with the SLO County APCD and State Parks Directors. The meeting provided a venue and opportunity for the public to provide comment on the most recent Modified Stipulated Order of Abatement in relation to the Oceano Dunes OHV area.

Since the meeting, State Parks has worked to comply with several requirements in the Order including:

Obtaining an Emergency Coastal Commission permit for fencing a 48-acre foredune area.
Completing the foredune perimeter fencing on January 1, 2020.
Named a project manager.
Proposed an additional 40-acre seasonal wind fencing to be started by March 15, 2020 and be finished by April 1, 2020.
Proposed 4.2-acres of permanent enclosure to be fenced by March 15, 2020 and completed by June 1, 2020.

The Amended Order of Abatement can be reviewed online HERE

You can also see a complete list of all the efforts to reduce particulate matter from the Oceano Dunes by clicking HERE.

Get Funding to Change-out Your Old

Fireplace or Woodstove!

Our popular Woodstove Reduction Program is now available!

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program helps applicants across San Luis Obispo County replace their woodburning stoves and fireplaces with natural gas, propane, electric, or a U.S EPA-approved stove or insert.

Fireplaces and woodstoves can cause serious air pollution problems within your home and for your nearby neighbors. Studies and reports released by the California Air Resources Board have shown that particulate matter can cause respiratory problems, exacerbate asthma, and cause other significant health problems . The SLO County APCD air monitors have shown higher particulate matter levels are often measured from December to March when residential woodburning is common due to colder temperatures.

Although we are accepting applications for all projects now, households that qualify as low-income will be given preference for the first 60 days of the program (January 6 – March 6, 2020). All funding is first-come, first-served based on when your application is deemed complete. Questions about our program and to see if you qualify, email us at [email protected] .

Curious what kind of incentive you may be eligible for? See below:

Calling All Agriculturalists!

We are in the second year of administering our extremely successful FARMER Program.

The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measure for Emission Reduction (FARMER) program provides funding to help agriculturalists replace their harvesting equipment, tractors, heavy-duty agricultural trucks, and replacement or electrification of irrigation engines with clean diesel or electric models used in agricultural operations. Applicants may qualify for up to $500,000 (or up to 65% of their eligible project costs for the new equipment), subject to cost-effectiveness limits and other program requirements.

Through emission reduction incentive programs like FARMER, the APCD works diligently to maintain clean air in San Luis Obispo County. By educating the public and making it easy and accessible for everyone in the county to participate, the APCD incentive programs have reduced over 3,070 tons of air pollution within the county over our 23 years of incentive program administration.

For more information, click HERE to go to the APCD website or contact Meghan Field at the APCD at [email protected] .

Funding for the FARMER program is provided by the California Climate Investments Program, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Clean Air Ambassador Program

Here at the APCD, we have an amazing Clean Air Ambassador Program that focuses on educating elementary school students on air pollution. The Clean Air Ambassadors are a group of dedicated Cal Poly students making a difference for future generations. Recently, the program has added two new parts to the program. They have added 5 ^th -6 ^th grade lessons to the learning curriculum as well as lessons in Spanish!

These new lessons for 5 ^th -6 ^th grade include more interactive activities which gives students an understanding of how humans may influence air quality! One of the lessons includes bringing air quality measurement tools like a Purple Air monitor to show the students how they work. The Spanish lessons are currently being taught for K-4 ^th but will be added to 5 ^th -6 ^th grade lessons soon.

If you would like to have the Clean Air Ambassadors come to your school or classroom, please email [email protected] !

Staff Spotlight - Linda Gardner!

Linda is one of the amazing staffers here at the SLO County APCD! Linda grew up in Ellerbe, North Carolina on a vegetable and tobacco farm and is the first of 9 children. She lived in South Carolina for 10 years and lived in Saudi Arabia for a year! She moved to San Luis Obispo in 1983 and has loved it ever since.

Linda has been working at the APCD for 22 years as an Administrative Assistant. In this position, she works closely with the Engineering and Compliance Division. Linda says one of her favorite parts of working at the APCD is the genuine staff she gets to work with, that are all-around great people and supportive of each other. Alyssa Roslan, Linda’s Supervisor, says she is a pleasure to work with and is always ready to lend a helping hand. Her North Carolina accent is something everyone in the office and customers always enjoy too.

Fun Fact: In her free time, Linda enjoys taking care of her succulent garden and spending time with her kids and grandchildren, especially going to their sports games. She also loves teaching water aerobics at the SLO Swim Center!