PPIC Releases 2010 Environment Survey
Californians name air pollution the State's most important environmental issue
8/20/2010

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) recently released their 2010 statewide survey of Californians and the Environment. The survey found that air pollution continues to be the most important environmental issue to Californians, with majorities of residents in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), and the Central Valley (from Shasta to Kern County) saying air pollution is a very serious or somewhat serious health threat. The PPIC survey found the majority of Californians are supportive of tougher air pollution standards and regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results showed positive support for reduced pollution from new automobile designs, industrial plants, and improved land-use planning, but the survey did not inquire about personal lifestyle changes the survey participants would be willing to make.

A majority of Californians (67%) and likely voters (61%) continue to support AB 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO said "The lingering effect of the recession and a continuing state budget crisis haven't changed Californians' overall view of AB 32. While support has declined somewhat since 2007, a solid majority still favors the law." When likely voters were interviewed about the timing of AB 32 implementation, there was an even split with 48% believing California should implement immediately and 48% preferring to wait for an improved economy and job market.

Goods Movement Discussed at Quarterly Luncheon
6/11/2010

Over 45 people participated in a conversation about goods movement in the region at a recent quarterly luncheon held at the West Sacramento City Hall Galleria. Following an overview from Michael Faust of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the participants heard from Scott Moore, Vice President of Public Affairs with Union Pacific; Tom Scheeler, Port Engineer with the Port of West Sacramento; and Glen Rickelton, Airport Manager for Planning and Environment with the Sacramento County Airport System. Their presentations are available on the Cleaner Air Partnership website.

Washington Hears from Air Quality Team on Key Regional Issues
4/29/2010

When more than 300 leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit sector descend on Washington, D.C. for three intense days of meetings with their representatives each spring, the issues they raise tend to get noticed.

That fact was on full display for the 40th Capitol-to-Capitol trip, the largest program of its kind in the United States, hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber. The delegation has shrunk a bit since its peak of 400 attendees several years ago, but its impact is no less felt on Capitol Hill. And what was the most valuable aspect of the trip this year for the nine-member Air Quality Team?

According to Becky Wood, Environmental Manager for Teichert Materials and a co-chair for Air Quality Team, the trip deepened the bonds of the Cleaner Air Partnership. "By having many members of the Partnership together back in D.C. working on these regional issues it strengthens the Partnership for the work we do all year long. It gives a voice to the reality that public health and good business do go hand in hand and that we can find common ground."

The Air Quality Team took seven issues to Washington, D.C. this year, having vetted them with experts and advocates back home over several months. Issues included (1) encouraging the U.S. EPA to act on our "Regional Exceptional Event" request by May 2010; (2) supporting integrated transportation, economic, and land use models being piloted in our region; (3) maintaining current funding levels for the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program; (4) maintaining funding levels for air quality grants for state and local agencies; (5) appropriating $3 million for incentive programs to help retire older wood stoves; (6) supporting state and local flexibility in developing greenhouse gas regulations; and (7) advancing policies that improve waste-to-biomass opportunities on public lands.

The Air Quality Team had some 20 meetings in two days involving Senate, House, and Administration leaders and their staff. The results were favorable. "Two of our three meetings with EPA were very well received and provided some great opportunities for future collaboration. It was important for EPA leadership to see the cross level coordination of Cap-to-Cap," said Larry Greene, Air Pollution Control Officer for the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District and a team co-chair. Becky Wood agreed.

"The most significant outcome was the bipartisan commitment from our Representatives to help us with our policy issues if we need them to weigh in with the agencies. The current partisan nature of Washington was transcended in our meetings with members from both sides of the political spectrum who could see the wisdom of supporting our issues because we had brought together the major parties from the region (regulator, nonprofit, and business) to make improvements for both public health and business," said Wood.

So what's next? "I think we set the stage for a number of issues that will come up in future legislation on climate change and transportation reauthorization and have good buy-in from our Congressional Representatives for future support on those issues," Greene concluded.

For more information about the trip, contact Cleaner Air Partnership manager Bill Mueller, one of the three Air Quality Team co-chairs, at bill.mueller@valleyvision.org.


Bill Mueller

CEO & Managing Partner

Valley Vision, Inc.

916.865.8204 / Mobile

United Nations Climate Change Conference Identified General Areas of Agreement
Local climate change activities emphasized
2/23/2010

Thousands of delegates from around the world descended on Copenhagen, through the ice and snow, to convene at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in early December 2009. Larry Greene, Air Pollution Control Officer for the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District, attended the conference as the co-president of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA). Larry recently shared with the Cleaner Air Partnership Executive Committee the below observations from his experience at the event:

• Much of the world is living with visible and impacting climate impacts right now;
• Climate action will require both enlightened leadership from leading countries or will be triggered by a major event;
• The best chance for climate action is appearing to be outside the United Nations context, at a sub-national level (e.g. State of California); and
• A United States solution will require bipartisan leadership.

In his speech at the conference, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reinforced the idea of continuing climate work at the local level stating, "While national governments have been fighting over emission targets, sub-national governments have been adopting their own targets and laws and policies. I would ask the U.N. to convene a climate summit like Copenhagen but for cities, for states, for provinces and for regions."

The conference concluded with general areas of agreement on the topics of reducing emissions, verification, financing and deforestation, leaving implementation details to be resolved at a later time.

Energy Improvement Financing Program to Launch in 2010
Green Capital Alliance facilitates regional AB811 effort
11/23/2009

The Green Capital Alliance (GCA), managed by Valley Vision, is a coalition of business, education, labor, utility and economic development organizations working on coordinated actions to strengthen the Sacramento Region's green technology sector. Since July, GCA has been facilitating a regional AB 811 Working Group focused on bringing AB 811-type property-tax-based financing programs to the Sacramento region.

AB811 permits the creation of assessment districts to finance installation of energy improvements which are permanently fixed to residential and commercial properties. This program removes up-front costs and associated financing as an impediment for property owners installing energy improvements. Financing for energy improvements through the AB811 program are repaid through property tax bills, with repayment obligations transferring with ownership.

Interest has grown quickly throughout the region with at least 12 jurisdictions moving forward with AB811 programs in 2010. These programs are win-wins for economic development and the environment by enabling a voluntary financing mechanism through property taxes for energy efficiency improvements.

Area Air Pollution Control Officers Share the "State of Air Quality"
Incentive programs provide a positive impact to air quality in 2009
11/23/2009

Air Pollution Control Officers (APCO) from three of the region's Air Quality Management Districts (AQMD) shared the "State of Air Quality" in their respective districts at the Cleaner Air Partnership Quarterly Luncheon on November 13th. Tom Christofk from Placer County, Mat Ehrhardt from Yolo-Solano, and Larry Greene from the Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD emphasized the importance of meeting State and Federal air quality requirements through locally generated solutions which meet the needs of our diverse region.

Incentive-based programs were noted by the panelists as key to improving air quality in 2009. Regional participation in activities such as clean engine conversions, funded by the Moyer program, demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the region's air districts. The APCOs also highlighted incentives such as wood-stove change-out, gas mower exchange, and "Check Before You Burn" type programs as meaningful in 2009. Tom Christofk commented "As a Pollution Control Officer I do not prefer air quality regulations; rather, I favor a focus on market-place mechanisms which provide environmental benefits."

The panelists recommended focus areas for 2010, which include:
• Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation impacts to support project analysis
• Supporting implementation of AB811, voluntary property tax financing for energy efficiency upgrades
• Installing additional real-time PM2.5 particulate matter monitors
• Linking health to land-use
• Meeting SB375 targets

Wood Burning Rule Amendments Passed
Changes to Rule 421 will help improve winter air quality
10/2/2009

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's (SMAQMD) Board approved changes to the Sacramento County wood burning regulations (Rule 421) at their meeting on September 24th. This rule restricts burning wood when air pollution levels are predicted to exceed federal health standards during the winter season.

The Cleaner Air Partnership supported the amendments to Rule 421, and thanks the SMAQMD Board for taking action to improve our air quality. These changes, which incorporated public and industry feedback, will add approximately 5 additional No Burn days to the 4-month season (on average there are 23 No Burn days per season), while giving residents cleaner air and avoiding 3 more federal health standard exceedances.

These changes are necessary to improve public health and help our region make progress toward the federal air quality standards during our 3 year review period beginning in 2010, and may avoid the need to adopt other more stringent and costly regulations that could affect homeowners, businesses, and agriculture.

We thank all who offered support for these important improvements to our region's air quality.

Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails Evaluates 8 DRUM Monitor
BCSET compares 8 DRUM Data with California Air Resources Board FRM data at 13th and T Street Site
6/18/2009

Under the leadership of the Breathe California's Health Effects Task Force, this one year side by side monitoring study was sanctioned by the California Air Resources Board and conducted at its 13th and T Street site.

The study compares mass data collected by the U.C. Davis rotating drum impactor (8 DRUM) with ARB's standard mass monitoring measurements (FRM) required by law. The study showed that the 8 DRUM monitor proved to be a cost effective way to obtain important additional data for health and regulatory needs, while being accurately comparable to the ARB's mass measurements.

In particular, the U.C. Davis 8 DRUM provided vital new data about ultrafine particulate matter which research now confirms is capable of deep lung deposition, and heart and brain impacts.

Results for the 2008 - 2009 Season Check Before You Burn Program
Program brings improved public awareness and air quality, falls short of the federal health standard
5/1/2009

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's Check Before You Burn program ended its second season on February 28. This regulation prohibits wood burning throughout Sacramento County and its cities including Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento from November to February on poor air quality days.

Thanks to partnerships with community groups and local weathercasters, tremendous public awareness and support has been achieved in a short time - 92 percent of those surveyed knew about burning restrictions and up to 52 percent reduced burning when required. These efforts achieved significant air quality benefits - reducing fine particle pollution up to 23 percent, with the greatest benefits in the evening hours.

While those reductions are impressive, they're not enough to achieve the federal health standard. In particular, on days when EPA certified devices and pellet stoves are exempt from burning restrictions the benefits are 13 percent lower, and 84 percent of owners didn't use the exemption. The AQMD plans to workshop rule changes in July 2009 and seek board approval in September.

Regional Air Quality Plan Adopted
Area Officials Approve New 8-Hour Ozone Standard
2/20/2009

The Board of Directors of the air districts in the Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area have adopted the Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan (Plan). The Plan will reduce emissions at the required rate of 3% per year and help us reach the 8-Hour Ozone standard by 2018. This Plan, after two years in development, was approved by air quality officials in the El Dorado, Feather River, Placer County, Sacramento Metropolitan and Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management Districts.

In addition to the Plan adoption, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District certified the Plan's Environmental Impact Report, which addresses the potential environmental impacts associated with the Plan.

Landmark Breathe California air quality study now underway
1/29/2009

On January 5, 2009 an important new air quality study began with the placement of 8 DRUM Samplers at five sites along California’s Central Valley, in Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield. This landmark study, sponsored by Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails (BCSET) under the volunteer leadership of Dr. Thomas A. Cahill, PhD, University of California, Davis, will record levels of pollutants along the Valley in 8 size modes, including ultra fine particulates, which, if inhaled, can evade the lung’s defenses to enter the bloodstream, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease and damage to the brain, as well as lung disease.

Part of an ongoing effort by BCSET to better understand the nature of particulate air pollution in our region, this pioneer study marks the first research effort ever to simultaneously capture levels of ultrafine particulate pollution along the entire California Central Valley.

This study is just the first to take place in 2009. A second study on the health benefits of vegetation appropriately placed adjacent to freeways, will begin at the end of January.

For further information contact Kori Titus at (916) 444-5900 or by email at ktitus@sacbreathe.org.

Greenhouse law creates long list of decisions
Scoping plan underway
2/14/2008

Carrying out California’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction law AB 32 may be a long-term proposition, but important decisions and hearings are popping up seemingly every month about how to get it done.

At our September quarterly luncheon, the Cleaner Air Partnership invited Democratic state Assemblyman Dave Jones, Republican Assemblyman Roger Niello and Kevin Kennedy from the California Air Resources Board to update us on the status of AB 32 implementation and chat about issues and opinions surrounding it.

AB 32 mandates that California reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Long-term state goals call for reductions far under 1990 levels by 2050.

“One of the remarkable things about AB 32 is that it touches just about everything in the state economy,” Kennedy told us.

The air board is developing a scoping plan for measures aimed at larger sources of GHGs, and will begin holding workshops on it this November. This winter CARB is also expected to set the 1990 “baseline” of greenhouse gases to measure future reductions against, and to set mandatory GHG reporting requirements for some industry sectors, Kennedy said.

The air board has already adopted an initial list of “early action measures” designed to help begin reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases while the agency works to finalize the core measures at the heart of AB 32.

Among the first list of early action measures, Kennedy said, are a new low-carbon fuel standard for autos, restrictions on some refrigerants, and techniques to improve the capture of methane from landfills.

Additions proposed this summer include measures affecting truck efficiency, green ports, consumer spray products, semiconductor manufacturing processes and a push to promote proper auto tire inflation.

Kennedy also outlined details and key questions about how his team at CARB will evaluate the possible role of market-based programs such as incentives, subsidies and carbon trading in AB 32. The law does not mandate market programs, but includes them as options. Kennedy said possible benefits could include lower implementation costs, early emission reductions and incentivization of new technology.

There is a long list of policy questions to consider in the analysis, Kennedy said, such as how to determine the price of carbon and how to harmonize a California trading system with other states and markets. The agency is studying lessons from similar programs in Europe, Southern California and the Northeastern U.S., he said.

Jones said Democrats are concerned there’s not enough funding to research carbon trading in the depth needed considering the problems that emerged in other programs. Incorporating land use into AB 32 is also “critical,” he said.
“I’m concerned we’re not putting enough time and resources there,” he told us.

But some believe the state should proceed more carefully in light of contrary opinions and doubts about climate change’s causes, Niello said. Overemphasis on prevention could leave few resources for mitigation, he said.

“We should be moving extremely cautiously,” he said.

NorCal air quality challenges as diverse as the landscape
Bay Area, San Joaquin, Sacramento compare notes
2/13/2008

Northern California air quality advocates and regulators face widely different geographic and political landscapes, but still have plenty of useful lessons to share about cleaning the air.

That was a takeaway from our July Cleaner Air Partnership quarterly luncheon, when we invited leaders from air agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley to discuss their unique challenges, current activities and lessons learned.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is the nation’s largest in area with eight counties and 25,000 square miles, said the district’s Special Projects Administrator Tom Jordan. Yet, it’s home to just three million people.

While emissions-per-square-mile there are lower than in the Bay Area, nasty inversion layers trap smog and soot in the valley in both summer and winter, Jordan said. The Valley’s level of nonattainment with federal ozone smog standards is classified as the most severe “extreme” level.

“Because of our climate and geography, we have a challenge unmatched by any,” Jordan said.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t good news. The district has greatly reduced pollution since 1990, Jordan said, and will soon comply with federal standards for large soot or particles. And while the district recently pushed its official target for attainment with ozone smog standards to 2023, many areas of the district will be in compliance much sooner, he said.

A key to meeting the ozone smog standards, Jordan said, will come in the form of clean-air incentive programs that help reduce pollution from mobile sources. Vehicle emissions are regulated by state and federal agencies rather than local districts.

The district banned residential woodburning on bad-air days to reduce lung-damaging fine soot.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will also begin focusing on fine soot because it’s not expected to meet new federal health standards, said the district’s Deputy Air Pollution Control Officer Jean Roggenkamp.

Although it has more than twice as many residents as San Joaquin, the Bay Area is only in borderline or “marginal” nonattainment with federal ozone smog standards, partially a function of temperature and breezes. (Sacramento is rated at an in-between “serious” level).

However, rising temperatures and more “extreme heat days” from climate change could threaten to erode progress, which is one reason why the district launched its own climate change program two years ago, Roggenkamp said. An environmentally aware business community was a help, she said.

“There will be heat impacts,” she said. “It’s important to get started now and do what we can.”

PHOTO BY Rich Niewiroski Jr.

Report: regional blueprint helps fight climate change
Study calls Sacramento region's plan a national model
2/13/2008

A new report on climate change praises the Sacramento region and its award-winning Regional Blueprint Transportation and Land-Use Study as a tool to reduce greenhouse gases.

The Urban Land Institute/Smart Growth America report “Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change” cites the importance of land use in combating climate change, and cites the Blueprint as a model for local governments.

Nearly every city and county in our region endorsed the results of the Blueprint, a voluntary land-use plan created by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments with help from Valley Vision and input from 5,000 citizens.

The plan emphasizes “infilling” vacant or under-used land within existing cities to accommodate population growth, stresses locating jobs closer to homes and envisions more transportation options.

If our region heeds its principles, the Blueprint is projected to help lower per-household vehicle miles traveled — a key air quality indicator — below current levels despite 50 percent population growth.

Tackling barriers to smart growth together
2/13/2008

Traditionally, cleaning our air has meant reducing pollution from mobile sources like diesel trucks and cars, or stationary sources such as power plants and industry.

Over the past few years, a third pollution-fighting strategy has emerged — “infilling” housing development within the borders of existing communities, creating less need for car trips and shorter trips when they occur.

With a million people expected to move to our region in the next few decades, it’s no small matter. And we’re pleased to be tackling an exciting new project designed to help promote this style of development.

Our six-month Infill Barriers Assessment project first seeks to identify barriers to infill development within Sacramento County and the cities within it. We’ll then prioritize the barriers that are suited for local action and develop strategies to help remove those at the top of the list. Finally, we’ll share these strategies and our research with key decision-makers in our region.

We’re incorporating the views and opinions of a diverse sampling of more than 20 stakeholder organizations from the public, private, health and environmental sectors. They range from city and county governments and local agencies to builders with infill experience, the building industry association and environmental groups.

Our project grew from a request by the North State Building Industry Association and Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails to seek and share greater consensus on what is needed to promote infill development in the Sacramento area.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is providing major financial support for the project, which is being coordinated by Valley Vision.

Please check back for updates!

Praise for air-friendly workplaces
Metro Chamber press events an avenue of recognition
5/24/2007

Clean air is good business, according to Sacramento Metro Chamber President and CEO Matt Mahood.

That’s why the Chamber is challenging the region’s business to help spare the air through their business decisions and employee policies – and praising those that do, such as local environmental consulting firm Jones & Stokes.

With more than 61,000 businesses in our region, the business community – and specifically, employers – play a vital role in improving air quality.

The Chamber highlighted practices at Jones & Stokes – and challenged other businesses to follow step – at a press conference last year in advance of the summer smog season.

Jones & Stokes provides bikes for errands, bike racks, showers and lockers and reimbursement for transit on Spare the Air days. It also has a formal telework policy and a fleet of hybrid vehicles.

The Chamber also notifies member businesses about air alerts and reimburses employees for transit on those days.

Print and save: Metro Chamber Spare the Air tips
Strategies help region retain transportation funding, quality of life
11/30/2006

Our region was near the bottom of the “place” category in last year’s Sacramento Area Trade and Commerce Organization comparison of 11 competing U.S. regions. A key factor: our low score for air quality.

It’s an important quality-of-life indicator for those who wish to attract and retain talented employees. According to the nonprofit CEOs for Cities, two-thirds of college-educated adults aged 25-34 decide first where to live, then where to work.

Some tips from the Sacramento Metro Chamber on how your business or workplace can help protect our economy by improving our air:

• Encourage employees to sign up for free AirAlert notifications via home email or text messages. Appoint someone to distribute through company email, break rooms or on the P.A. system.

• Link to www.sparetheair.com on your company home page and Intranet.

• Offer a work-at-home or “telework” option on Spare the Air days for employees who can complete tasks outside the office.

• Buy workers lunch on Spare the Air days. Regularly encourage employees to place lunch orders from the same restaurant or store, and send one employee to pick up.

• Promote carpooling. Sign up at www.sacregion511.org.

• Join a transportation management assocation (TMA) to for convenient commute options.

• Provide free or subsidized transit passes for employees.

Tiniest air pollution among the most harmful
Cutting-edge Breathe California research tracks "ultrafine" soot particles
6/9/2006
[ Printable version of this article ]

By Dr. Tom Cahill
UC Davis DELTA Group
Breathe California Board Member

Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails is continuing independent research on particle pollution with a unique new study in Sacramento.

Dr. Robert Sawyer, chairman of the California Air Resources Board, has approved Breathe California’s proposal to initiate one year of sampling for tiny soot particles called "very fine" and "ultrafine" particles at the Air Resources Board’s 13th and T Street monitoring site.

Both are much smaller than the diameter of a human hair -- very fine particles range from 0.25 to 0.09 microns in diameter, while ultrafines are below 0.09 microns.

Both are also considered among the most toxic and damaging particles for lungs, but science is still emerging and neither is regulated by federal or state air agencies.

Researchers with the UC Davis DELTA Group will provide a new 8 DRUM sampler (on loan from Johns Hopkins University) to measure very fines and ultrafines and also identify traces for separation of diesel exhaust from wood smoke.

We will also solicit funds to identify the pollution contributions of diesels and smoking cars to the aerosols bathing downtown Sacramento.

The studies are an outgrowth of earlier Breathe California efforts such as the 2002-2004 Sacramento I-5 Aerosol Transect Studies that measured aerosols across Sacramento to the foothills.

To our knowledge, there is no equivalent study of size/time/and compositionally resolved aerosols. The data will help Breathe California develop its position on a new state standard for very fines and ultrafines that would allow much greater analyses on composition, mass, elements and the role of organic compounds.

This could lead to aerosol-control strategies that are far more protective of health than are current standards.