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May 2018 l Volume 2018-2

In This Issue

Air District Hosts Community Workshops to Discuss Community Health Protection Program
New Climate Protection Grant Program Offers $4.5 Million in Funding
Spare the Air Smog Season Begins as Warmer Weather Nears
Kaiser Permanente Wins Spare the Air Leadership Award
Winter Spare the Air Season Comes to an End
Air District Allocates $3 Million for Caltrain Electrification Project
Air District Fines Tesla for Air Quality Violations
Air District Offers Millions in Grants
Upcoming Events

Welcome to the latest issue of the Bay Area Air District’s Air Currents newsletter. In this issue, you’ll find articles about the Air District’s series of Community Health Protection Program workshops, the new Climate Protection Grant Program and the beginning of the summer Spare the Air season. Other articles cover the Spare the Air Leadership Program award winner, the end of the Winter Spare the Air season, a grant allocation supporting CalTrain corridor electrification and a recent financial settlement. A summary of current grant opportunities is also included. 

Share Your Thoughts sticker board

Air District Hosts Community Workshops to Discuss Community Health Protection Program (AB 617)

This spring, the Air District is hosting a series of community workshops to begin implementation of state law AB 617, which requires local air districts to continue to reduce air pollution in communities with high air pollution burdens. The Air District held four workshops at various Bay Area locations in April, and four more are scheduled this May.

These workshops provide an opportunity for the public to share ideas about addressing local air pollution and to discuss community-level monitoring and planning in highly impacted Bay Area neighborhoods.

At the upcoming May workshops, attendees can get the latest information about the Air District’s Community Health Protection Program and help identify priority communities for consideration to be included. There will also be discussion of new grant funding that is available to reduce emissions from mobile sources of pollution in the Bay Area’s most impacted communities.

The May workshops are being held in four locations:

Dublin
Thursday, May 10, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Shannon Community Center
11600 Shannon Avenue

San Pablo
Wednesday, May 16, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
San Pablo Community Center
2450 Rd. 20

San Jose
Monday, May 21, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando Street

Fairfield
Thursday, May 24, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Fairfield Community Center
1000 Kentucky Street

While California has experienced tremendous improvement in air quality over the years, not all communities have benefited equally. AB 617 was passed by the State Legislature over concerns that some communities located close to freeways, ports, industry or other large pollution sources need additional focus and resources to reduce exposure levels.

As a result of AB 617, the Air District is implementing its Community Health Protection Program in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board and local Bay Area communities.  It’s an initiative that is focused on reducing air quality impacts in neighborhoods in the region that are most affected by air pollution.

For more information, and to sign up for future notices, please visit the Air District's AB 617 web page and review this Community Health Protection Program fact sheet.

GHG Emissions

Air District’s New Climate Protection Grant Program Offers $4.5 Million in Funding

The Air District is now accepting applications from public agencies for the 2018 Climate Protection Grant Program. A total of $4.5 million is available for climate protection grants, with individual award amounts limited to between $100,000 and $300,000.

Under the 2018 Climate Protection Grant Program, the Air District will fund activities in two categories:

  • reducing greenhouse gases, or GHGs, from existing buildings, or
  • fostering innovative strategies with long-term impacts in reducing GHG emissions.

The grant program prioritizes projects that make progress towards achieving the Air District’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas reduction targets, while accelerating implementation of the Air District’s 2017 Clean Air Plan and supporting local climate protection efforts.

Only public agencies located within the nine counties of the Bay Area are eligible to apply for the 2018 Climate Protection Grant Program. Public agencies that apply can also partner with third parties such as private businesses and non-profit organizations.

Potential applicants may review the Grant Program Guidelines, which further describe these program areas and outline the Climate Protection Grant Program’s goals and objectives, eligibility and application requirements and evaluation criteria. The Air District will also host a series of in-person workshops around the Bay Area to present more information about the program.

The deadline for completed applications is May 11, 2018.

For more information about the webinar and workshops and to apply for the program, visit the Climate Protection Grant Program web page. Questions may be submitted to: climate@baaqmd.gov.

Spare the Air Logo

Spare the Air Smog Season Begins as Warmer Weather Nears

The Air District is announcing the launch of the 2018 Spare the Air summer smog season on Monday, April 30. 

The millions of cars on our roadways each day remain the largest source of smog pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area. The Spare the Air campaign encourages Bay Area residents to drive less and look for ways to share, shorten or change their commutes to help reduce smog, traffic and gridlock in the region.

The Air District is asking everyone in the Bay Area - commuters, employers, local governments and individuals - to identify and take actions that will reduce their daily air pollution impact, such as encouraging and promoting ride sharing, installing a cool roof, reducing energy consumption, recycling, composting and reducing waste.

The launch of the Spare the Air smog season coincides with the start of the 2018 Air Quality Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign to increase air quality awareness and inspire people to take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution.

Bay Area employees are encouraged to check with their human resources offices to learn what commuter benefits are available to them through their employers. The Bay Area Commuter Benefits program requires all employers in the Air District’s jurisdiction with 50 or more full-time employees to offer commuter benefits to their workers.

During the summer months, Spare the Air Alerts are issued when smog is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. Smog can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Smog pollution is particularly harmful for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. When a Spare the Air Alert is called, outdoor exercise should be limited to the early morning hours when smog concentrations are lower.

There are many ways to learn when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect this summer:

Business Awards Logo

Kaiser Permanente Wins Spare the Air Leadership Award

In March, in partnership with Acterra and the 2018 Acterra Business Environmental Awards, the Air District announced the newest recipient of the Spare the Air Leadership Award: Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser achieved this honor by implementing renewable energy projects that reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gases, while developing innovative approaches for cleaner air. 

Kaiser will be honored at the 2018 Acterra Business Environmental Awards Ceremony and Reception on May 31 from 6-9 p.m. at the Bay Area Metro Center at 375 Beale Street in San Francisco.

With ambitious goals to be carbon neutral by 2020 and carbon positive by 2025, Kaiser has undertaken numerous renewable energy projects and implemented various sustainability practices throughout its network of facilities in the Bay Area and across California. Kaiser’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities have required the coordination and support of its 200,000 employees nationwide including regional support administrators, facility directors, chief engineers, nurses, doctors, the CEO and the Board of Directors.

The Acterra Business Environmental Awards is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s oldest and most prestigious environmental recognition programs. Initiated in 1990, it is considered a champion among award programs due to its broad geographic scope, rigorous judging process and competitive pool of applicants. The Spare the Air Leadership Award has been a part of Acterra’s Business Environmental Awards for two years.

For more information about the awards ceremony, or about the other award categories and recipients, visit the 2018 Acterra Business Environmental Awards web page.

Winter Spare the Air Logo

Winter Spare the Air Season Comes to an End

The 2017-2018 Winter Spare the Air season came to a conclusion on February 28. Over the course of the season, there were 19 Winter Spare the Air Alerts issued and seven exceedances of the federal health standard for fine particulates. 

Throughout the season, a persistent high-pressure ridge blocked storms that might have helped disperse air pollution. Although there were a few storms in the first half of the winter season, what followed was a prolonged period of dry, stable weather patterns that allowed wood smoke pollution to build up.

The season began on November 1, 2017, and included several long stretches of alerts – up to eight days in a row in December. All 19 alerts took place in December and January.

This season, the Air District received a total of 2,177 wood smoke complaints from Bay Area residents. Alameda was the county with the highest number of complaints, 367, followed by Contra Costa with 363 and Santa Clara with 362. Marin and Sonoma each had 306 complaints.

To date, 128 violations have been issued to residents observed to be in violation of the Wood Burning Rule this winter.

Wood smoke from the 1.4 million fireplaces and wood stoves in the region is the largest source of wintertime air pollution in the Bay Area, containing harmful pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide. Exposure to wood smoke has been linked to serious respiratory illnesses and even increased risk of heart attacks.

The Air District’s Wood Burning Rule still requires, on a year-round basis, that residents who burn wood in a fireplace or outdoor fire pit burn cleanly - using dry, seasoned firewood - and not burn garbage, leaves or other materials that would cause excessive smoke. Residents who exceed the visible smoke provision of the Wood Burning Rule will still be subject to a ticket, even outside the official November–February Winter Spare the Air season.

Caltrain

Air District Allocates $3 Million for Caltrain Electrification Project

In February, the Air District’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of $3 million dollars to support the electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Francisco and San Jose.

In 2015, the Air District made a commitment to award $20 million towards the project over a five-year period. Allocations to date include $13 million in 2016, $3 million in 2017 and $3 million in 2018. 

The transition to electric-powered trains will result in zero emissions locally and eliminate the release of over 315 tons of diesel-related particulates per year in surrounding communities. Exposure to diesel exhaust can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs while contributing to more serious health impacts over time.

Other benefits associated with electrifying the rail line between San Francisco and San Jose include a reduction in greenhouse gases, an increase in frequency and speed of train service, a reduction in engine noise, and a decrease in traffic congestion from automobiles along US 101 and Interstate 280.  

Caltrain expects to start operating electric trains by the spring of 2022.

gavel and plate with dollar sign

Air District Fines Tesla for Air Quality Violations

In February, the Air District reached an agreement with Tesla, Inc., to pay a $139,500 penalty and to install a rooftop solar power system at a local Boys and Girls Club, in order to settle air quality violations at its manufacturing plant in Fremont.

The settlement covers a series of violations from 2013 through 2016 involving malfunctioning burners on several pieces of equipment. The malfunctioning burners emitted elevated levels of nitrogen oxides, a pollutant that combines with other pollutants and hot temperatures to cause smog. The elevated emissions exceeded Tesla’s air permit limits.

In addition to the monetary penalty, the settlement requires Tesla to install a nine-kilowatt photovoltaic rooftop solar power system at the Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley in San Jose. The system will allow the Boys and Girls Club to generate its own clean power instead of having to purchase electricity from the grid. Over 30 years, the typical net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for this type of system is the equivalent of leaving more than 166,000 pounds of coal unburned.

The settlement agreement is structured as an upfront penalty of $139,500, along with an additional $46,500 against which Tesla will earn credit by implementing the solar roof project. For every $2 Tesla spends on the solar roof project, it will earn a $1 credit towards the $46,500. Assuming the total costs of the project exceed $93,000 when it is fully implemented after eight months, Tesla will not owe any additional penalty under the agreement.

All the violations have now been corrected and Tesla is in compliance. The Air District will use all penalty funds received for its programs to improve air quality in the Bay Area.

Grant Funds

Air District Offers Millions in Grants

Residential Wood Smoke Reduction Incentive Program - Provides funding to eligible homeowners to help offset a portion of the cost of replacing older, more highly polluting fireplaces or wood-burning stoves with qualifying cleaner heating devices, including electric heat pumps and natural gas or propane heating stoves and inserts, and to help homeowners decommission their working wood-burning devices. Funding is limited to homes located in eligible areas. Applications are currently being placed on a waiting list. http://www.baaqmd.gov/woodsmokegrant

Vehicle Buyback Program –The Vehicle Buy Back Program will pay Bay Area residents $1,000 to turn in their operable, registered, older vehicles for scrapping. Eligible vehicles include those that are model year 1996 and older.  www.baaqmd.gov/vbb

Community Health Protection Grant Program – The Air District is offering $50 million in grant funds to reduce toxic air emissions and ozone-forming pollutants from older, polluting diesel engines through the Community Health Protection Grant Program. For the initial year of this program, the Air District will accept applications for projects that reduce emissions in communities along the 80/880 freeways from Hayward to Richmond, and from Vallejo to Pittsburg. Community input will play an important role by informing the Air District’s project outreach and project identification processes. Applications are being accepted now, and funds will be awarded to owners of eligible equipment and vehicles by June 2019.  www.baaqmd.gov/ab617grants

Carl Moyer Program – More than $16 million is available for projects that upgrade or replace eligible diesel equipment, including on-road trucks, off-road equipment, marine engines, agricultural equipment, locomotives, and electric charging and alternative fueling infrastructure. Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are awarded.  www.baaqmd.gov/moyer

Lower-Emission School Bus Program - Funding is available for public school districts, JPAs, and contracted fleets in the Bay Area for bus replacement, engine repower or electric conversion, natural gas tank replacement, and electric charging and alternative fueling infrastructure projects. Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first served basis until all funds are awarded.  www.baaqmd.gov/lesbp

West Oakland Zero Emission Grant Program - Funding is available on a competitive basis to both public and non-public entities that purchase and operate new and qualifying zero-emission vehicles and equipment operating in and around the West Oakland Community. Funding for this program is primarily provided by a grant from the Reformulated Gasoline Settlement Fund. Applications are currently being accepted until May 18, 2018.  www.baaqmd.gov/westoaklandzev

Pilot Trip Reduction Program – Up to $3 million is available on a competitive basis to public agencies that pilot new, innovative, and replicable solutions that reduce commute-hour, single occupancy vehicle trips.  Funding is limited to projects that are conducted in eligible areas: Priority Development Areas and Air District designated highly impacted areas. The solicitation is tentatively scheduled to open in late May 2018.  www.baaqmd.gov/ptr

Coming soon!

Light- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emissions Vehicle Program – This program is scheduled to begin accepting applications in summer 2018, and up to $5 million will be available for the purchase of qualifying new zero-emissions heavy-duty trucks and buses and/or three or more qualifying new zero-emissions light-duty cars and trucks.  www.baaqmd.gov/HDZEV


Air District Events

Upcoming Events

Look for the Air District’s outreach table at the following upcoming events.

May

Amgen Earth Day & Wellness Fair – South San Francisco
May 3

Silicon Valley Bikes Festival – San Jose
May 6

Sunday Streets Tenderloin  - San Francisco
May 6

Oakland Bike to Work Day - Oakland
May 10

June

Sunday Streets Sunset/Golden Gate Park  - San Francisco
June 3

San Mateo County Fair - San Mateo
June 9-17

Alameda County Fair – Pleasanton
June 15 - July 8

Solano County Fair - Vallejo
June 30 - July 1

Marin County Fair – San Rafael
June 30 - July 4

July

Alameda County Fair - Pleasanton
July 4 - July 8

Sunday Streets Mission/Valencia St – San Francisco
July 15

Menlo Summerfest (Miramar Event) – Menlo Park
July 21-22

Bay Area Air Quality Management District
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