The Air District’s CEQA Guidelines recommend air quality significance thresholds, analytical methodologies and mitigation measures for local agencies to use when preparing air quality impact analyses under CEQA.  The updated CEQA Guidelines seek to better protect the health and well-being of Bay Area residents by addressing new health protective air quality standards, exposure to toxic air contaminants, and adverse effects from global climate change.

A summary table of the adopted thresholds and the updated CEQA Guidelines are posted below.  In addition, various tools and resources are available on this website to assist local agencies in applying the Air District’s adopted thresholds.

Following the adoption of the CEQA thresholds, the Air District’s Board directed staff to track and regularly report implementation of the CEQA Guidelines to the Board of Directors.  In addition, the Board directed staff to: continue to work with MTC and ABAG to ensure that implementation of the thresholds is consistent with the goals of SB 375; provide support and financial assistance to local governments for development and implementation of Community Risk Reduction Plans (CRRP); implement screening processes to help local governments avoid preparing a full EIR (based on air quality impacts) for projects that meet the thresholds; and continue to develop standardized mitigation measures.

The updated CEQA Guidelines address recent changes in air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter (PM) from the State of California and the U.S. EPA. The new health-protective air quality standards are in response to growing scientific evidence that exposure to ozone, fine particles and air toxics have greater health effects than previously estimated. In addition, the Air District's new greenhouse gas thresholds were developed to ensure that the Bay Area meets the State’s plan to address climate change. The CEQA Guidelines also address exposure to toxic air contaminants, which is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, asthma, reduced birth weight and mortality.  Although air quality in the Bay Area has improved over the last thirty years, fine PM and other air toxic contaminants released by transportation and industrial activities threaten the health of local residents.  The updated CEQA Guidelines seek to better protect the health and well-being of Bay Area residents.