The Air District launched the 2015 summer Spare the Air season on April 27, during national Air Quality Awareness Week.

The summer Spare the Air program encourages Bay Area residents to reduce air pollution during the summer ozone season, by carpooling, taking transit, driving less, walking or biking.  Motor vehicles remain the largest source of ozone-forming pollution in the Bay Area.

Grouping errands and limiting idling are other ways to limit automobile pollution - and buying local is a very effective way to reduce ozone pollution and greenhouse gases emitted during transportation of goods.

Limiting energy use and reducing electricity can also make a difference - by turning off lights or appliances when not in use and turning up thermostats in the summer.

Ozone is an unstable molecule made up of three oxygen atoms.  It is created in the lower atmosphere by a combination of pollutants called reactive organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen that get “cooked” by the sun’s ultraviolet rays in a photochemical reaction.

During the summer months, Spare the Air health alerts are issued when ozone pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. Ozone, or smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain.  It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema.

Ozone pollution is particularly harmful for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. When a Spare the Air Alert is issued, outdoor exercise should be limited to the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower.

To find out when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect, register for email AirAlerts at sparetheair.org, call 1(800) HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air App or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook or Twitter.

In March, the Air District hosted four public workshops to discuss the agency’s two new draft petroleum refinery emissions rules.

Held in Benicia, Richmond, Martinez and San Francisco, these workshops provided community members with an opportunity to participate in the Air District’s rulemaking process and provide comments while these regulations are under development.

The first of the two proposals, draft Regulation 12, Rule 15: Petroleum Refining Emissions Tracking, would gather emissions inventory and crude oil composition information from Bay Area refineries and increase air monitoring activities at the refinery fence lines and in nearby communities.

The second proposal, draft Regulation 12, Rule 16: Petroleum Refining Emissions Analysis, Thresholds and Mitigation, is a complement to Rule 12-15. It would require refineries to determine causes of emission increases and mitigate increases of criteria pollutants and toxic pollutants above established baseline emissions or risk levels.

The Air District enforces some of the strictest refinery regulations in the country, and these proposed rules will continue to ensure that public health is protected despite any operational changes that might take place at the refineries.

All comments will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if changes or modifications to the draft rules are required, as the Air District prepares final versions of these proposed rules to be presented to its board for approval later in the year.

Copies of the draft rule proposals and supporting documents are available on our website.

In March and April, the Air District hosted nine public workshops to discuss proposed amendments to Regulation 6, Rule 3: Wood-Burning Devices.

The Air District adopted Regulation 6, Rule 3 in 2008 to protect Bay Area residents from the harmful health impacts of wood smoke. Among its other requirements, this regulation made it illegal to burn wood, fire logs, pellets or other solid fuels in fireplaces, woodstoves, outdoor fire pits or other wood-burning devices whenever a Winter Spare the Air Alert is called.

Since its adoption, the wood burning rule has been effective at reducing wintertime particulate matter, but wood smoke remains a significant health issue in the Bay Area. In an effort to ensure that public health is protected and that the Bay Area achieves state and federal air quality standards, the Air District is proposing several amendments to strengthen the rule.

These proposed amendments would affect the parameters for forecasting Winter Spare the Air Alerts, the visible emissions limitations and the requirements for sole source of heat exemptions.  They also include specifications for real estate properties, requiring replacement of old uncertified wood-burning devices and the transition to cleaner and more efficient heating alternatives such as gas-fueled, electric or EPA-certified wood-burning devices.

The workshops were held in each of the nine counties within the Bay Area’s jurisdiction.  Public comments will continue to be accepted until May 8 by contacting the Air District’s Wood Smoke Hotline at (415) 749-4989, or via e-mail at public@baaqmd.gov.

All comments on the proposed amendments will be taken into consideration as the Air District develops a draft rule to be presented to its Board of Directors for final approval later in the year.

Copies of the draft rule proposals and supporting documents are available on the Air District’s website.

In April, the Bay Planning Coalition officially recognized the outstanding accomplishments of the Air District’s executive officer, Jack Broadbent, by presenting him with the 2015 Frank C. Boerger Award.

The award is given annually to an individual who demonstrates significant achievement in fostering the dual goals of environmental protection and economic development in the Bay Area.

Mr. Broadbent received the award at the Bay Planning Coalition’s 28th Annual Decision Makers Conference, held on April 9 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland.  Mr. Broadbent is responsible for directing the Air District's programs, which are aimed at achieving and maintaining healthy air quality for the seven million people who reside within the nine county San Francisco Bay Area.

Prior to accepting his role at the Air District, Mr. Broadbent served as the Director of the Air Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX. Before this appointment, Mr. Broadbent worked for the South Coast Air Quality Management District as a deputy executive officer, director of planning and other senior management positions.

In April, Bay Area Bike Share reached a new milestone of half a million trips taken since the Air District launched the pilot program on August 29, 2013.

To date, more than 5,900 annual members and tens of thousands of casual members have embraced this fun and environmentally-friendly way to rediscover their favorite spots across the Bay Area.  Bay Area Bike Share members collectively have achieved these impressive results:

• Total trips – 500,000 and counting

• Total miles ridden – 931,636

• Total calories burned – 40 million

• Total pounds of carbon offset – 632,182

The Air District successfully launched the pilot program 18 months ago as a first and last mile solution between transit and final destinations.  By coordinating with partner agencies and working with vendors to help plan and test a regional bike share solution, the Air District was able to deliver a viable system to the Bay Area.  Since the launch, memberships and casual day-use of Bay Area Bike Share bicycles have soared.

By participating in Bay Area Bike Share, members are joining with millions of people all over the world who are helping to improve air quality by reducing emissions locally and globally.

In February, the second Youth for the Environment and Sustainability – or YES - Conference was held in Oakland.  Over 125 middle and high school students, parents, teachers and program providers shared their experiences working to create positive environmental change in the Bay Area.

Santa Rosa High School teacher Jasper Starfire Thelin acted as Master of Ceremonies. Metropolitan Transportation Commission Chair Amy Rein Worth congratulated students on the important work they have been doing. Nick Laskowski, Co-Founder of the San Jose Bike Party, discussed the significance of volunteering as a way to make new friends and build environmental coalitions.

Highlights from the sessions included:

- Students from the Marin School of Environmental Leadership talked about “The Amazing Transit Race,” their scavenger hunt modeled after the Amazing Race TV show.

- Students involved in the Sonoma County Youth Advisory Board shared how they developed leadership skills while promoting walking and bicycling to their classmates.

- Causa Justa: Just Cause shared their “Game of Life: Public Transit, Bikes and Cars,” designed to educate people about the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on low-income communities of color and to foreground equity issues related to transportation access.

- The Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools Youth Task Force presented a hand-rendering of a trail near Castro Valley High School. The trail map project encouraged students to explore the trail and recommend it as an alternative method to get to school. The Youth Task force also presented a music video promoting the school’s “Cocoa for Carpools” program.

- Bike East Bay and MTC staff co-presented “#YOUTHACTION: A Community Organizing Toolkit for Young Activists.” This program taught participants about Plan Bay Area and featured role- playing conversations about important issues to get students involved in their community planning processes.

Students made bike blender smoothies and learned basic bike maintenance from the Bay Area BikeMobile. They learned about the harmful impacts of carbon emissions from aquatic animals such as starfish and sea cucumbers at the BayMobile, a mobile bay lab from the Aquarium of the Bay.

The conference concluded with a motivational address from student keynote speaker, Serah Almeyda.  Serah spoke about the importance of community involvement and empowering young leaders to become environmental stewards. She recounted her experience as a youth representative on the Board of Directors for SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) in Sonoma County and the time she spent in Nicaragua working on environmental projects.

The conference was a great inspiration for advocates of all ages, and each student was encouraged to go back to his or her community or school and put together an environmental project.  The Spare the Air Youth Committee is already beginning to follow up on this year’s success by laying plans for the third annual YES conference in 2016.

In March, the Air District allocated $2,540,187 to United Airlines, Inc. to fund the replacement of 87 diesel-powered ground support equipment units with zero-emission alternatives at the San Francisco International Airport.

This is the largest Air District grant issued for purchasing zero-emission airport equipment in the Bay Area. United Airlines applied to the Air District to replace old, diesel-powered aircraft tow/tug vehicles with electric, zero-emission equivalents. Ground support tow/tug equipment is used to service aircraft between flights, to help move aircraft within the terminal area and to facilitate loading operations for cargo and passengers.

This project is being funded through the Carl Moyer Program, a partnership between the California Air Resources Board and local air districts throughout the state. The program provides grants to public and private entities to reduce emissions from existing heavy-duty and medium-duty engines by replacing or retrofitting them.

Carl Moyer Program - Funding available for diesel trucks, off-road and marine equipment, locomotives and agricultural equipment.  www.baaqmd.gov/moyer

Voucher Incentive Program - Funding available for diesel truck replacements and retrofits.  www.baaqmd.gov/VIP

Lower-Emission School Bus Program - Funding available for school bus retrofits, public school CNG tank replacements and public school bus replacements.  www.baaqmd.gov/LESBP

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Rebate Program - Funding available to public agencies who purchase or lease zero- and partial zero-emissions light-duty cars, neighborhood electric vehicles and motorcycles.  The application deadline is December 18, 2015.

Bicycle Parking (Racks and Electronic Lockers) Program - Funding available to public agencies that purchase and install new bicycle racks. The application deadline is May 22, 2015.

Coming Soon!  Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles Program - Funding for public agencies and private business that install charging stations at workplaces, multi-family unit dwellings and key destinations.  The application period is scheduled to open in May 2015. Sign up here to receive alerts about this program and other Air District Transportation Fund for Clean Air incentive funding opportunities!

See www.baaqmd.gov/grants for details on these and other funding opportunities.

May

A La Carte & Art Festival - Mountain View
May 2-3

Livermore Wine Country Festival - Livermore
May 2-3

Sunday Streets Mission - San Francisco
May 10

33rd Annual Senior Information and Health Fair - Richmond
May 13

Oakland"s 22nd Annual Bike to Work Day - Oakland
May 14

June

San Mateo County Fair - San Mateo

June 6-7, 12-14

Green Kid's Conference - Mountain View
June 13

Fairfax Ecofest - Fairfax
June 13-14

Sunday Streets Great Highway/Golden Gate Park - San Francisco
June 14

Alameda County Fair - Pleasanton
June 19-21, 26-28

July

Marin County Fair - San Rafael
July 1-5 

Alameda County Fair - Pleasanton
July 3-5

Sunday Streets Tenderloin - San Francisco
July 12

Jack London Pedalfest - Oakland
July 25