2024 Annual Accomplishments and Look Ahead

As we welcome the new year, the Air District’s accomplishments in 2024 highlight significant progress in air quality improvement, climate action, and community engagement across Sacramento County and the larger region. These accomplishments showcase our dedication to building a healthier, low-carbon future aligned with the state’s air quality and climate goals.

2024 Accomplishments Highlights

• Pursuing Shared Visions for a Sustainable Region: In partnership with local, state, and federal officials, the Air District led efforts for a regional strategy on clean air and climate resilience. Congresswoman Doris Matsui expressed support for the Air District’s leadership on the Capital Region Climate Priorities Plan at its March Board of Directors Meeting.
• Enhancing Transparency and Public Engagement: The Air District held a bilingual workshop on SacSewer’s bio-generation project. This session fostered open dialogue, allowing residents to engage meaningfully in decisions affecting their environment and health.
• Centering Community Voices: The Air District and AB 617 Steering Committee hosted a South Sacramento-Florin electric bus tour, gathering community feedback on air quality concerns, expanded program boundaries, and added seats to the Steering Committee, allowing for more voices to help shape projects and ensure more equitable decision-making.
• Showcasing Innovative Air Monitoring Efforts: In partnership with the City of Sacramento, the Air District conducted sophisticated street-level air monitoring with the results detailed in a comprehensive story map, distributed 200 portable sensors, and launched a new environmental curriculum for underserved students.
• Investing Millions in the Sacramento Region: The Air District awarded nearly $15 million for over 45 clean air projects in 2024, including EVs, charging infrastructure, and agricultural equipment replacements. Over the past 20 years, the District has funded 8,500+ projects, reducing NOx emissions by 7.3M lbs/year and particulate matter by 730,000 lbs/year.
• Facilitating EV Ownership: To date, the District’s Clean Cars 4 All program has provided grants to over 1,331 residents for EVs, removing 869 high-polluting cars from the road. The program has also provided $778,000 in public charging credits and assisted with 210 home charger installations with SMUD support.

2025 Priorities Preview

As we transition into the new year, the Air District has set ambitious priorities to further advance our mission.

Key goals for 2025 include:

• Enhancing Zero-Emission Mobility: Continuing efforts on the ZEV strategy, developed collaboratively by the Air District, SacRT, SMUD and SACOG, and focusing on Mobility Hubs with transportation programs like Clean Cars 4 All, e-Bikes, and other transportation alternatives.  
• Expanding Climate Resilience Initiatives: Combating frequent and extreme summer heat waves and smoke from unpredictable wildfires with cool pavements, urban greening, sustainable design, and community education.
• Fostering the Clean Fuels of the Future: Promoting biomass utilization for hydrogen and other low-carbon energy alternatives in the Sacramento region and investing transportation incentive funds on projects that produce and dispense hydrogen from renewable resources. 
• Advancing Cleaner Air and a Lower Carbon Future: Continuing to drive regional progress towards reducing emissions and supporting long-term climate resilience.
• Maximizing Community Benefits from Clean Air Actions: Aligning air quality initiatives with broader goals to enhance public health, equity, and local quality of life, especially in disadvantaged communities.
• Strengthening Community Partnerships: Working with the AB617 Steering Committee to develop community projects that decrease emission pollution and exposures and benefit Sacramento’s underserved communities. 
• Improving Accessibility to Air Quality Information:
• Continuing to improve the District’s internal systems and online services systems for customers.
• Providing greater transparency and accessibility to air quality and emission information. Along with sharing a map of businesses with air quality permits, the District will make additional strides to collect emissions information from sources of air pollution. This information will be provided to the state to fulfill mandatory reporting of criteria and toxic air pollutants and be made available to the public.

Following the January Board of Directors meeting, the District will publish a comprehensive overview of its 2024 highlights called “Year In Review.” Watch for it on the District’s website and social accounts.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue our work toward a cleaner, healthier Sacramento County in 2025 and beyond.

Thank you to Our Outgoing Board Members

During the Air District’s October 2024 meeting, staff extended heartfelt thanks to four dedicated members of our Board who will be stepping down: Supervisor Sue Frost and Council Members Kevin Papineau, Shoun Thao, and Donald Terry. These leaders brought unique perspectives, commitment, and energy to advancing cleaner air policy in our communities.

During their tenure, they were strong and consistent supporters of the District and championed initiatives for air quality, cleaner technologies, and community engagement to reduce pollution. We are grateful for their service and the strides made under their leadership.

We’re excited to announce that new Board Members will be installed at our upcoming meeting on January 23. We look forward to welcoming fresh perspectives and continuing our mission to create a healthier, cleaner environment for all.

Dr. Alberto Ayala Elected to the National Association of Clean Air Agencies' Board of Directors

The Air District is proud to announce that Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala has been elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA). Dr. Ayala’s position reflects the Air District’s commitment to environmental leadership on a national scale.

NACAA is the national, non-partisan, non-profit association of 156 state and local air pollution control agencies in 40 states and 117 local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and five territories. NACAA exists to advance the equitable protection of clean air and public health for all, and to improve the capability and effectiveness of state and local air agencies. 

Dr. Ayala brings more than 30 years of professional experience focused on protecting public health and advancing clean air and climate goals to NACAA’s leadership.

“I am honored to join NACAA's Board of Directors and continue to work alongside outstanding professionals from across the country who work tirelessly to advance the association’s priorities for cleaner air and a healthier environment for communities nationwide," said Dr. Ayala.

To learn more about NACAA, please visit their website at www.4cleanair.org. 

Annual Reporting Due Date Extended to March 15

Permitted stationary sources must report emission information to the Sac Metro Air District to comply with various local, state, and federal requirements. To comply with these mandates, the Air District requires all permitted stationary sources to submit an Annual Report every year.

Starting in 2025, Annual Reports must be submitted through our new Online Services portal. The Online Services Portal can be found at www.AirQuality.org/Services. The reporting deadline has been changed from January 31 to March 15 of every year. This new reporting deadline will give additional time for sources to gather and report their information. The District will provide detailed instructions and training on how to submit the Annual Report through the Online Services portal soon.

For more information on our Annual Reporting program, please visit www.AirQuality.org/AnnualReporting.

Join Us for a CERP Development Workshop in February

In February, the Air District will host an engaging public workshop designed to educate and empower South Sacramento-Florin residents to explore Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) strategies that have been implemented in other air districts across California. This workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn, collaborate, and take action toward a cleaner, healthier future for our region.

In 2024, the South Sacramento-Florin community began the process of transitioning to a CERP, expanding program boundaries and Steering Committee representation. This transformative step helps bring more residents into the collaborative efforts of the Community Air Protection program. As CERP development progresses throughout the upcoming year, public meetings and engagement opportunities will play a key role in shaping the community’s environmental future, strengthening the program’s impact, and empowering residents. At its core, the CERP process prioritizes community engagement, ensuring the South Sacramento-Florin community achieves its goals effectively and equitably.

The CERP Development Workshop will be held on Monday, February 24 from 6-8 p.m. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged to maximize your experience, participate in dynamic discussions, and share your perspectives as part of this collaborative effort. Meeting location information is available here.

More information about Community Air Protection is available at www.AirQuality.org/CAP. For questions about the CERP, please contact AB617clerk@airquality.org.  

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:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (formerly Twitter)

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!

Meadowview to Receive $3 Million Grant to Support Neighborhood Electrification

A transformative $3 million grant, secured by Congresswoman Doris Matsui, will fund a major expansion of SMUD’s clean energy efforts in Meadowview, a traditionally under-resourced community. Meadowview is part of the Air District’s AB 617 Community Air Protection area, making this project a significant boost in the broader effort to bring cleaner air and affordable energy solutions to our region.

The Neighborhood Electrification Project aims to electrify up to 300 Meadowview homes, introducing efficient, all-electric upgrades like heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, smart thermostats, and EV charging stations. These updates are designed to lower utility bills, reduce pollution, and improve health for Meadowview residents, many of whom are faced with the high costs of maintaining older, inefficient appliances.

Residents of Meadowview will not only experience immediate benefits—such as cleaner indoor air and lower monthly energy costs—but they’ll also be set up to easily adopt future green technologies, like solar storage and electric vehicles. 

Hydrogen and Clean Energy Projects Powering Sacramento’s Clean Air Future

As Sacramento continues its journey toward a clean energy future, hydrogen is emerging as a key player in the region’s strategy to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases, and promote public health. Hydrogen and other clean energy alternatives play an essential role in reducing pollutants that affect both climate and community health, especially in areas impacted by higher levels of air pollution.

By advancing local hydrogen infrastructure and integrating non-combustion technologies, we can showcase hydrogen’s potential to meet the unique needs of Sacramento’s communities and support long-term air quality goals.

The Air District is working with public and private partners on several projects including:

• SacSewer Bio-Generation Project: An exciting clean energy development, this project represents a significant investment in sustainable wastewater treatment through advanced bio-generation technology. With approval from the Air District, SacSewer will install multiple engines, a boiler, and a first-in-the-region fuel cell technology at its Elk Grove wastewater treatment plant. The fuel cell—a non-combustion power generation platform—will supply parts of the treatment process, generating cleaner onsite energy and reducing harmful emissions in the community.
• Sacramento Regional Transit Bus Maintenance Facility #2 (SacRT BMF#2): SacRT was awarded $77 million in federal funding to help transform BMF#2 located at McClellan Business Park into a hydrogen hub that will include hydrogen production and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to support the transition of their fleet to zero emissions. SacRT plans to purchase fuel-cell electric buses to serve Sacramento’s communities.
• EcoMotiv LLC.: This project will be the first biomass-to-hydrogen generation facility in the region that will produce hydrogen and supply fuel to the region’s zero-emission transportation ecosystem. EcoMotiv is building a hydrogen production facility off of I-5 and Twin Cities Road in Sacramento, as well as a hydrogen fueling station for small, medium, and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles. EcoMotiv will use local agricultural residues to create renewable energy into hydrogen fuel.
• First Element Fuel Inc: Located at McClellan Business Park in Sacramento and with $ 4.2 million in funding from the Air District, First Element Fuel, Inc. will build a hydrogen fueling station for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles. This will supply hydrogen fuel to private and public fleets in Northern Sacramento and will support Sacramento’s efforts to build infrastructure for zero-emission transportation.

These clean energy projects not only underscore the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source with unique advantages for our region but will pave the way for a greener Sacramento, helping us achieve our vision of clean air for all. 

Clean Air and Climate Resilience Solutions

To improve air quality in the Sacramento region, the Air District funds projects from residents, businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies. These projects reduce pollution from fossil fuels, help us meet federal air quality standards and state goals to reduce carbon emissions, and bring economic benefits. The Air District also focuses on environmental justice by involving communities in decisions that affect their environment and health. Projects target underserved areas with high environmental impact.

More information about District incentive programs can be found by visiting our webpage.

Recent Award Recipients

Congratulations to all our partners for helping to attain clean air and a low-carbon future for all!

M&M Fuels

$170,555

Gary C Silva

$358,194a

Takemori Farms

$327,545

San Juan Unified School District

$1,500,000

Benjamin Maravalla

$260,354

SacSewer

$245,000

Wilson & McCall, Inc

$160,467

Emerald Site Services

$55,170

Twin Rivers Unified

School District

$76,780

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

$1,200,000

San Juan Unified School District

$538,750

Black Oak Mine Unified School District

$1,534,546

Apro LLC

$161,448

Mitra

$485,294

Sierra Northern Railway

$15.6M

Elk Grove Milling

$51,816

Hampton Inn & Suites

$253,146

Green Tech Education & Employment

$150,000

James Hardesty Farms

$436,528

North Market

$75,432

Yeung Farms Specialty Produce

$688,113

Reamer Farms

$535,590

Silverdale Farms

$335,434

Soil Born Farms

$16,547

Takhar South Sac Petroleum

$187,500

B & J Dairy LP

$236,880

Brian Kneppel

$633,652

Sac County General Services

$285,086

Sun Foods

$256,260

City of Auburn

$70,000

Roseville Joint Union High School District

$236,469

A delegation of representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment visit the Air District.

Air District Hosts Delegation of Chinese Officials for Air Quality Management Discussions

Building on a recent visit from a Danish delegation and reflecting its ongoing commitment to international collaboration and exchange on climate action, the Air District hosted a delegation of approximately 15 representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment on December 11, 2024. The visit provided a platform for the District to share its expertise in regulating industrial sector emissions, including permitting and enforcement practices.

Organized by the California-China Climate Institute at UC Berkeley, this exchange emphasized a shared dedication to tackling air quality challenges on a global scale.

“The District is honored to take part in this meaningful dialogue, underscoring the importance of international partnerships in driving environmental progress,” said Engineering and Compliance Division Director Amy Roberts.

2024 California Economic Summit Recap

Last October, Sacramento welcomed over 800 leaders from across industry, government, nonprofits, and community organizations for the 2024 California Economic Summit. The event brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators, all dedicated to shaping a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy for California.

Air District Executive Director Alberto Ayala served on the regional host committee alongside other regional leaders, helping shape a program reflective of Sacramento’s uniqueness and committed to sustainability and economic resilience.

The event was kicked off with three regional tours showcasing local innovation in the farm-to-fork-to-food movement, advanced manufacturing partnerships, and community revitalization. A-Z Bus Sales provided six electric buses and helped transport summit participants to the CA Mobility Center for the welcome reception and showcased innovative technology, workforce development, and the EV Lowrider. 

The Summit featured sessions on a variety of topics including developing a sustainable transportation system, natural resource management, leveraging public-private partnerships, workforce development for the green economy, and regional planning and policy development.

Key takeaways from the sessions included:

• Aligning industry and business relationships as we focus on regional job creation in the green sector economy.
• Strategizing how the new economy will need to build a sustainable transportation system.
• Managing the increased use of California’s electrical grid that was designed for a different economy.
• Ensuring that a college credential leads to economic mobility.

The next California Economic Summit is set for Stockton in 2025.

Winter is Here – Remember to Always Check Before You Burn

It’s that time of year - the Air District's annual Check Before You Burn is in full swing for its 17th season, running from November 1, 2024, through the end of February. During these months, wood burning in fireplaces, wood stoves, inserts, and pellet stoves will be restricted when fine particle pollution (PM2.5) is forecast to be high. Why? Because wood smoke accounts for more than 50 percent of the wintertime pollution in Sacramento County and PM2.5 is harmful to your health.

Check Before You Burn is the law throughout all of Sacramento County, with penalties for violations. As temperatures drop and wood-burning season picks up, it’s essential to know when restrictions are in place.

Check the daily burn day status by visiting AirQuality.org/CBYB or by calling 1-877-NO-BURN-5. To report a wood-burning violation, please file a complaint online or call 800-880-9025. 

Air District Expertise In the Spotlight

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

Past Events

• COP 29 (November 11-22, 2024): Air District APCO Alberto Ayala was an invited speaker during the virtual launch of a policy brief at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. “The Case for Action on Tropospheric Ozone” is a new policy report developed by the Clean Air Institute for integrating action to mitigate climate change, deliver clean air, and support food security. Dr. Ayala was a member of the Advisory Committee for the project. COP29 brought together global leaders, climate experts, and environmental advocates to address urgent climate issues. The United Nations’ 2024 conference was focused on enhancing international collaboration and implementing effective climate action strategies to limit global warming.
• SMUD Strategic Development Committee (November 12, 2024): Air District APCO Alberto Ayala was among four expert speakers who addressed methane emissions and provided insights on local emissions to help SMUD make informed decisions to reduce overall methane emissions.

Upcoming Events

• Davis Sunrise Rotary Meeting (January 24, 2025): Transportation and Climate Change Program Manager Paul Philley will speak to members about regional and local climate and clean air actions.
• 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.

Recognition

• Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Honor Society: Dr. Ayala was recently welcomed as a new member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. Sigma Xi is the international honor society of science and engineering and one of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the world. It recognizes scholarly achievements and contributions to the advancement of knowledge.