Upcoming Summit Addresses Climate, Justice & Jobs |
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The upcoming Climate, Justice, and Jobs Summit will focus on advancing economic recovery from COVID-19, climate change implementation, and inclusive workforce development in our region. Learn why workforce training/upskilling programs are critical to ensure disinvested communities are included, informed, and equipped to meet the demands of the climate crisis. Plus, engage in interactive working sessions. Choose from the Built Environment, Mobility or Climate Smart Agriculture. Register today for the March 30 event. https://tinyurl.com/cjjsummit
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Funding Available For Cleaner Transportation Projects |
The Sac Metro Air District has released over $18 million in mobile source incentive funds to improve air quality in the Sacramento region. The application period is open from March 29 - May 28, 2021. The primary purpose of this funding is to promote zero-emission equipment in communities impacted by air pollution.
Funds are available to replace existing heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission trucks and buses, install low carbon fueling infrastructure, replace older farm tractors, upgrade locomotives, and other eligible projects. Applications are open to private companies, government agencies, and others to promote clean transportation and goods movement in the Sacramento region. Applications not funded during this round may be funded in the future, so applications are strongly encouraged.
For more information about this solicitation and other incentive programs click here. |
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Understanding Businesses' Best Practices and Experiences During Wildfire Smoke Events |
Severe wildfires and the serious smoke impacts they bring have unfortunately become regularly occurring events resulting in many days of poor air quality for those living in the Sacramento region. Wildfire smoke is significantly more harmful than the run of the mill particle pollution we regularly experience in the Sacramento region. While we all are impacted by wildfire smoke, it is especially harmful for people with asthma, heart disease or other serious health concerns. Certain actions can be taken to try and minimize health impacts from wildfire smoke and businesses, schools and other government agencies all play a role in finding and implementing best practices for employees, students and residents.
The Sac Metro Air District was tasked under Assembly Bill 661 (McCarty, October 2019) to develop a Wildfire Smoke Air Pollution Emergency Plan to serve as a resource and reference guide in Sacramento County. The plan will provide important information that will help everyone assess air quality and take action to reduce smoke exposure. To make the plan as complete as possible, the District is gathering information from local businesses on (1) their experiences during previous wildfire smoke events, (2) best practices they can implement on smoky days to help reduce smoke exposure for their employees and county residents, and (3) what information is needed to help them respond during wildfire smoke episodes. Working with our partner Breathe California Sacramento Region, the District plans to send out a survey in April 2021 to select business groups. The results gathered will be key in producing a useful plan that will help our county better respond during serious air quality events of this nature. More information on wildfire smoke and the future Emergency Plan can be found on the District's website.
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The 2020-2021 Check Before You Burn Season Concludes |
This season’s Check Before You Burn (CBYB) has concluded. During November 1 through February, residents and businesses in Sacramento County and the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento must check the daily burn status before using a wood-burning fireplace or other wood-burning devices. No Burn days are called when weather conditions trap wood smoke near the ground. When burning restrictions are in place, it is illegal to burn wood, pellets, manufactured logs, or any other solid fuel when fine particle pollution (PM2.5) is forecast to be high.
This season, there were 23 days when some sort of burning restrictions were declared. There were 153 complaints and 57 violations issued.
As a reminder, this law is in place to protect public health and achieve federal air quality standards.
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Mobility Hub Breaks Ground in North Sacramento - Operational This Summer |
The Sac Metro Air District joined other agencies, community partners, elected officials and residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Green Tech Mobility Hub in Del Paso Heights, an innovative concept for future mobility that is a first in the region. This site will host zero-emission micro transit programs; including an EV shuttle bus, a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Mirais, and ZipCar EV Chevy Bolts plus the Air District's Our Community CarShare program. The hub will also include a parklet, benches with charging stations, and display artwork by local artists.
The hub is located at 3741 May Street on the corner of May Street and Grand Avenue. The City of Sacramento donated the land to Green Tech, a non-profit organization. The Sac Metro Air District is the principal funder for the site development. Once completed, this hub will greatly benefit the community by revitalizing the area, reducing air emissions and providing transportation services to residents, helping them make trips to social services, training, and medical appointments. For more project information click here.
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Non-Profits Deploy Air Monitors With State Grant |
Last year, Valley Vision, WALKSacramento, Breathe California Sacramento Region, and Green Tech Education were awarded a California Air Resources Board Community Air Grant to help residents of North Sacramento and Oak Park deploy 20 solar-powered air monitors, identify solutions, and secure resources to achieve better air quality. In line with the principles of AB 617, the 'Sacramento Neighborhoods Activating on Air Quality' collaborative is providing the tools and resources for residents to identify their own solutions to reduce emissions and improve public health. The grant recipients are currently working to place the air monitors in locations determined by community members, which will be followed by air quality education, community workshops, a Hackathon, and ultimately a community-led plan to reduce air pollution that can be elevated to the State of California. For more information click here.
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CEC Awards Funding To Test Hydrogen Switcher Locomotive |
The California Energy Commission has awarded Sierra Northern Railway and GTI nearly $4,000,000 to fund the design, integration, and demonstration of a hydrogen fuel cell switcher locomotive at the Port of West Sacramento. The Sac Metro Air District is a proud partner in the effort meant to show the potential of hydrogen fuel-cell electric technology to reduce transportation air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all applications, including the rail sector. The project marks a key turning point for the region where hydrogen could emerge as the leading zero-carbon solution for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment, including locomotives and ships. For more project information click here.
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