Volume 6 | Issue 2 | April 2025 | | |
As we navigate a time of shifting national priorities on the environment, I want to reaffirm to our air quality community that the Sac Metro Air District remains laser-focused on our most important function – protecting public health from the adverse effects of air pollution. We will fulfill our responsibilities and authorities under the federal Clean Air Act by designing and implementing clean technology programs that reduce emissions while promoting social and economic development. Our core mission remains unchanged: monitoring air quality, reducing pollution, and enforcing air quality regulations to safeguard the health of our communities.
Healthy air is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. That is why we will continue to prioritize data-driven strategies to track and improve our air quality. Our comprehensive network of regulatory air monitoring stations and portable sensors makes Sacramento one of the most densely instrumented regions. The Air District provides all residents with real-time, quality-assured data to inform their daily activities.
In addition to air monitoring, we are actively driving progress through innovative programs, partnerships, and other efforts; leaving no stone unturned when looking for sensible opportunities to reduce emissions from all sources. We will continue to work with local businesses, community organizations, and other agencies to ensure that our region continues to thrive on the path to a cleaner air future.
While we acknowledge the challenges ahead, we also recognize our strengths. The Air District is a fiscally responsible and transparently managed agency committed to ongoing evaluation of operations and improvement. We are pragmatic about the need to find common ground in the new order of environmental protection given the road to cleaner air is paved with collaboration. We are grateful for the dedication of our residents, local leaders, partners, and stakeholders in helping us achieve our shared air quality goals. Together, we can adapt, overcome, and continue to move toward our vision of clean air for all.
Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to clean air.
Dr. Alberto Ayala
Air Pollution Control Officer
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Air District Welcome New Board Members
Chair Aquino and Vice Chair Maple to Lead Board
The Air District is kicking off the year with fresh leadership and has welcomed several new members to its Board of Directors. These leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to improving air quality and advancing climate initiatives in the region.
The District’s Governing Board is composed of 14 members, including all five Sacramento County Supervisors, four members of the Sacramento City Council, one member each from the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova, and one member representing the cities of Galt and Isleton. City of Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino will serve as Chair, while City of Sacramento Council Member Caity Maple will serve as Vice Chair for the next two-year term.
New board members include:
- Roger Dickinson, City of Sacramento Council Member
- Rosario Rodriguez, Sacramento County Supervisor
- David Sander, Ph.D., City of Rancho Cordova Council Member
- Matthew Pratton, City of Galt Council Member
“We are grateful to our Board Members, both new and returning, for their dedication and support,” said Air Pollution Control Officer Alberto Ayala. “With the Board’s leadership, I am confident that the Air District will continue to create innovative programs and opportunities to address the region’s unique air pollution challenges and protect public health.”
| | Steering Committee members and residents participate in small group table exercises in February. | | |
Exciting Progress on the South Sacramento-Florin Community Emissions Reduction Plan
The year is off to an energetic and productive start for the South Sacramento-Florin Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP)! This community is one of 19 throughout the state selected for the Community Air Protection Program under Assembly Bill 617 (2017). The Steering Committee and community members are making significant strides toward shaping strategies to improve air quality and reduce pollution in the area.
In January, the California Air Resources Board provided the Steering Committee with a comprehensive emissions inventory, offering valuable data on air pollution sources in the community. This information will serve as one of many tools in crafting targeted solutions to address air quality concerns.
Building on that momentum, February saw the Air District host two engaging table exercise sessions, bringing together Steering Committee members and residents for hands-on brainstorming. The Air District provided a unique presentation and activity for each topic, offering different perspectives on air quality issues and potential solutions. Five distinct tables featured interactive discussions that helped participants dive deeper into previous community feedback and better envision actionable strategies that will directly address the air quality challenges identified in earlier meetings.
In March and beyond, the focus has shifted toward developing a formal plan to address these concerns. Community members will begin working collaboratively to identify priorities and shape strategies that will guide the CERP. With strong community participation and data-driven insights, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the South Sacramento-Florin Steering Committee. The months ahead will be critical in transforming ideas into actionable solutions that will create a healthier, cleaner environment for all.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important work together!
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Celebrating the Expansion of Our Community CarShare in Meadowview
On March 29, the City of Sacramento and Our Community CarShare (OCCS) hosted a fantastic event at the Pannell Meadowview Community Center to celebrate the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing in our community.
Approximately 120 community members and partners came together to learn more about how OCCS is making EVs more accessible to income-qualified residents. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the benefits of EV car-sharing, sign up for OCCS membership, and connect with valuable community resources on health, education, and transportation. Plus, with a free bike repair station and delicious food from Kiki’s Chicken, the event was both informative and fun!
A huge thank you to the Meadowview community and our partners—Zipcar, SMUD, Valley Vision, Breathe Sacramento, Clean Cities Sacramento, Green Tech Education, the Health Education Council, the Sacramento Children’s Home, and Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA)—for making this event such a success.
If you missed the celebration, learn more about Our Community CarShare and how eligible residents can sign up for discounted EV car-sharing at OurCarShare.org.
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New Opportunity for Clean Air Projects
The Air District is excited to announce that it is now accepting applications for Clean Air Projects also known as Supplemental Environmental Projects. These community-driven projects are funded using a portion of settlement money collected from air quality violations, supporting the District’s commitment to reducing emissions and prioritizing impacted communities.
Who Can Apply?
Any authorized representative of a community-based organization, nonprofit organization, public agency, academic institution, or tribal organization is invited to submit a project proposal.
Eligible Project Types
Projects must benefit a District Priority Community and fall into one of these categories:
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Air Pollution Prevention or Reduction: Prevent or reduce air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.
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Air Quality Related Education or Compliance Training: Assist educators, schools, and community groups to conduct training and public awareness campaigns for the business community or the public.
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Community Air Monitoring: Provide tools to be used by trained members of the public for data collection and enhancement of existing air quality monitoring stations.
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Environmental Restoration and Protection: Improve or restore the quality of the environment. The project must be related to air quality or climate change.
Projects outside these categories may be considered if they demonstrate substantial health or environmental benefits aligned with the District’s policies.
What is a District Priority Community?
The District uses the following maps to determine if your project is in a District Priority Community.
Past Project awardees include:
Midtown Association ($85,600) – This project focused on reducing emissions and promoting active transportation in the Midtown area:
- Replaced two gas-powered trucks used for clean and safe services with zero-emission electric vehicles.
- Replaced a gas-operated generator with a solar-power generator for the Midtown Farmers Markets, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Installed 24 bright purple bike racks across six locations and placed 28 large planters with drought-resistance plants along the Alhambra Corridor, creating a more pedestrian-friendly and environmentally sustainable space.
350 Sacramento ($56,900) – Focused on community education and wildfire smoke protection for low-income residents in North and South Sacramento:
- Created educational materials on air quality and pollution impacts.
- Hosted DIY air filter workshops, teaching families how to assemble and use low-cost air filtration systems to protect against wildfire smoke and indoor air pollution.
- Approximately 600 families received materials and participated in hands-on training to safeguard their homes.
Mutual Assistance Network ($50,400) – In the process of implementing a clean air project at the Firehouse Community Center in Del Paso Heights to improve environmental quality:
- Removing asphalt and replacing it with California native and drought-tolerant landscape, reducing heat island effects.
- Creating a green space for the community, supporting environmental restoration and education.
Apply Now!
If your organization has a project promoting cleaner air and a healthier environment, now is the time to apply! Applications are open until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025. Visit AirQuality.org/SEP to apply.
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Air District and SacRT Partner to Protect Riders from Extreme Heat at Bus Shelters
As extreme heat becomes more frequent in Sacramento, the Air District is taking action to help protect public transit riders from dangerous temperatures. This summer, the Air District will deploy MaRTy, a state-of-the-art mobile device, to measure the effectiveness of new heat-resilient bus shelters in partnership with the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT).
Funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, SacRT will install up to 20 upgraded bus shelters in high-need locations as part of its Bus Stop Improvement Plan. MaRTy will be used at these stops to measure the real-world impact of these shelters on passenger comfort.
Developed by researchers at Arizona State University, MaRTy captures mean radiant temperature—a more accurate measure of how hot it actually feels based on heat from the sun, surrounding surfaces, and the amount of shade. MaRTy is equipped with three net radiometers, tools that measure incoming heat from the sun and surrounding surfaces from six different directions, and a built-in computer that runs calculations on how the human body regulates heat.
Unlike traditional air temperature readings, mean radiant temperature provides a clearer picture of how infrastructure affects human heat exposure. The Air District will collect data at transit stops before and after the shelters are installed, helping to quantify their cooling benefits. The data will provide insight into how these new, heat-resilient shelters can reduce heat exposure and support future funding requests for similar projects.
In addition to its work with SacRT, the Air District shares MaRTy with the cities of Elk Grove and Davis, making them the only jurisdictions in the region with access to this cutting-edge technology. By leveraging MaRTy, the Air District is ensuring that Sacramento and its surrounding communities are better prepared to face extreme heat.
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Air District Expertise in the Spotlight
Air District leadership and staff regularly speak on panels, forums, and at meetings on a variety of environmental issues as experts in their fields. Here is a roundup of recent speaking engagements featuring Air District participants.
Past Events
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Sharing Our Air Quality Success Stories and Knowledge with Our Colombian Counterparts (February 4-5, 2025): Air Pollution Control Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala was invited to return to Medellin, Colombia to deliver a couple of lectures and meet with his counterpart from the Area Metropolitana Valle de Aburra (www.metropol.gov.co). At the Universidad de Antioquia, Dr. Ayala delivered a lecture from his book chapter on “Ultrafine particles – science, measurement, technology, health impacts, and policy.” Then, he spoke at the School of Applied Sciences at the Universidad EAFIT on “Energy and environment: air quality policy in California.” Lastly, he was welcome by Dr. Paula Andrea Palacio Salazar, the Director of the Area Metropolitana. The two had a dialogue about several issues, in particular transportation sector emissions and the ongoing challenge of malmaintenance and high-emitting vehicles.
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Hydrogen Infrastructure Summit (February 26-27, 2025): Air Pollution Control Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala was recently invited to speak at the 2025 Hydrogen Infrastructure Summit in Irvine, CA. The summit gathered industry leaders who discussed advancements in hydrogen production and its integration with renewables to build a resilient and efficient infrastructure. Dr. Ayala was among numerous speakers who addressed topics such as advances in hydrogen production, the expansion of zero-emission transportation technologies, and the current energy policy landscape.
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“Clear Skies Ahead: The Journey to Clean Air in Sacramento” (March 11, 2025): Director of Community Air Protection Janice Lam Synder spoke at Sacramento State about the District, clean air, and AB 617 efforts in a talk titled “Clear Skies Ahead: The Journey to Clean Air in Sacramento.” This talk is part of the weekly colloquium series hosted by the Environmental Studies and Geology departments in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey. The series aims to expose students and faculty to a wide range of ecological, environmental, and geological topics.
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A Lecture and a Keynote on Mobile Source Emissions, Automotive Technology, and Policy Options (March 14-18, 2025): Air Pollution Control Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala was invited by the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH) in Riobamba, Ecuador to deliver, by putting his Spanish to work, an extended four-hour lecture over two days for students in the Master of Science Program in Automotive Engineering (For more, please see this article). While there, he met with the ESPOCH President and other administration officials to discuss collaboration. Then, he delivered the keynote opening remarks at a national seminar on mobile source emission reductions held at the Escuela Politecnica Nacional in Quito, Ecuador. These invited visits strengthen the role air quality agencies in California can play in helping other regions of the world move towards cleaner air and better health.
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WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health (March 24-28, 2025): Air Pollution Control Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala was invited by the World Health Organization to participate in its second global conference hosted by the Government of Colombia in the city of Cartagena. The meeting convened 800 invited experts from 60 different countries for marathon sessions on all aspects and issues related to the adverse health impacts caused by exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution. Annually, the WHO estimates that 7 million people, the majority in low-income countries, die prematurely from exposure to air pollution. Thus, the organization is calling for renewed and coordinated global action against air pollution. The workshop elevated the issue of tropospheric ozone in the global climate and health agendas by developing a blueprint outlining research and policy actions. Dr. Ayala provided his insights and experiences to support the blueprint's development. Delegates were greeted by the President of the Republic of Colombia, Mr. Gustavo Petro, who delivered an articulate and inspiring welcome touching on the dangers of growing anti-multilateralism as an expanding barrier for more action on air and climate pollution reductions. For more, watch this video about the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health.
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Upcoming Events
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AEP 2025 CA State Conference: Seeds of Changes, Waves of Progress (April 6-9, 2025): Transportation and Climate Change Program Manager Paul Philley will lead a panel titled “Beyond the Boundaries: Regional Climate Planning in a World of Local Authority” about the challenges and opportunities of implementing regional carbon reduction solutions that require intensive coordination and implementation across regional jurisdictions, not all of whom may have the same vision, goals, or resources. The Air District’s leadership in the CPRG Priority Climate Action Plan process will be highlighted.
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From Fireplaces to Freeways: Shifting Gears for Cleaner Air
As the seasons change, so do our air quality concerns. With winter behind us, the Air District is transitioning from managing wood smoke pollution to tackling summertime smog. Check Before You Burn season has officially ended and Spare The Air season begins May 1.
Check Before You Burn
The Check Before You Burn program, which runs annually from November 1 through the end of February, helps reduce fine particle pollution (PM2.5) by restricting wood burning on days when air quality is poor. This past season, there were 22 days when burning restrictions were in place, with 176 complaints received and 24 violations issued. Following these restrictions is essential for protecting public health and maintaining federal funding for transportation projects.
Spare The Air
Beginning in May, the focus shifts to ground-level ozone pollution, also known as smog. 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. Spare The Air alerts urge residents to reduce emissions by carpooling, biking, teleworking, or using public transit. This season, Spare The Air is launching a brand new Air Alert system allowing users to receive daily air quality forecasts by email and Spare The Air alerts by email or text. Watch for information on how to sign up coming soon!
By staying informed and making small changes in our daily habits, we can all contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities throughout the year. Stay updated on air quality conditions and learn more at www.SpareTheAir.com.
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Follow Our New Facebook and Instagram Accounts
We have exciting news! The Air District has broadened its social media reach to keep you informed and engaged. Whether you're looking for practical air quality tips, the latest highlights, or news and updates, we're making it easier than ever to stay connected.
Here’s where you can find us:
Don’t miss out—follow us on your favorite platforms and join the conversation! Together, we can work toward cleaner air and a healthier community. See you online!
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