Hanapin

The Air District announced today it has reached two separate agreements with Chevron and Martinez Refining Company resulting in an end to the litigation against the agency over its groundbreaking Regulation 6, Rule 5, major emissions reductions from both refineries, unprecedented penalties and other payments of up to $138 million, and a Richmond-area Community Air Quality Fund, among other benefits. The Air District estimates that the emission reductions achieved by the rule will result in tens of millions of dollars per year in health benefits by reducing early deaths and other health impacts of exposure to particulate matter.

The Air  District will accept proposals for the Community Health Protection Grant Program beginning April 29 for up to $50,000 from community groups, neighborhood associations and other community-based, local non-profit organizations in designated Bay Area neighborhoods most impacted by air pollution.

A new report entitled, Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Greenhouse Gas Reductions from Bay Area Commercial Aircraft, commissioned by the Air District and examining the potential positive air quality effects of sustainable aviation fuel, has been released and is available on the Air District website.

The Air District has awarded a loan guarantee to Zevvy, formerly Flux EV, an electric vehicle leasing solution with flexible lease agreements designed to save drivers in the Bay Area money on gas and maintenance costs by choosing an EV over a gas-powered vehicle. 

The Air District will host a public meeting session on Thursday, October 10, regarding a permit application that was filed by Radius Recycling, formerly Schnitzer Steel Products Company. Members of the public are invited to attend to learn about and comment on this permit application.  

The Air District invites written comments on new provisions related to hydrogen sulfide monitoring and quality assurance procedures in revised draft fenceline air monitoring plans for the five Bay Area refineries. Comments must be received by 5 PM Pacific Time on April 20, 2023.

The Air District has fined Marathon Martinez Refinery, which is operated by Marathon subsidiary Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC, $372,500 for 13 Notices of Violation that include tank-related violations, uncertified pieces of equipment at their on-site gas dispensing facility and reporting delays.

Air quality is an important consideration for schools when planning student activities, especially when the region is being impacted by wildfire smoke. Read the Air District's new School Air Quality Activity Recommendations for guidance and further information. See also the Air District's Wildfire Preparedness Tips brochure.

The Air District Board of Directors has adopted amendments to Regulation 9, Rules 4 and 6, to eliminate emissions of nitrogen oxides, or NOx, from residential and commercial natural gas furnaces and water heaters in the Bay Area by requiring new appliances to be zero-NOx. 

The Air District and the California Air Resources Board are announcing a nearly $82 million penalty in a joint case to address significant air pollution violations by Valero Refining Co. at its Benicia refinery. This penalty is the largest ever assessed in the Air District’s history.

On April 27, the Air District launched the 2015 Spare the Air season, which focuses on reducing smog-forming pollution during the warmer months.  The summer Spare the Air program encourages Bay Area residents to reduce air pollution every day by rethinking their commute and avoiding driving alone.

The Air District is announcing a new air monitoring station in Benicia as part of the agency’s efforts to establish or expand air monitoring stations in areas where large sources of pollution may contribute to localized pollution sources that are not captured by the Air District’s existing network.

The Air District has reached a pivotal settlement with Chevron that will significantly enhance air monitoring data transparency, providing more information about air pollutants around the Richmond refinery. The agreement requires Chevron to take new data access and community engagement actions beyond those required by regulation or permit.

The Air District is inviting Bay Area residents to provide input on two new draft regulations. Regulation 11, Rule 18 would reduce health risk to local residents from toxic air contaminants emitted by facilities in the Bay Area, and Regulation 12, Rule 16 sets limits on facility-wide petroleum refining emissions.

On May 2, the Air District is launching the 2016 Spare the Air season, which focuses on reducing ozone, or smog-forming pollution during the warmer summer months. The Spare the Air program encourages Bay Area residents to reduce air pollution every day by rethinking their commute and avoiding driving alone.

The Air District is announcing the availability of funds to install cleaner heating options for residents located in areas highly affected by wood smoke and areas with disproportionate impacts from air pollution. The program will open at 11 a.m. on January 16, 2018, on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Air District is announcing the availability of $10 million dollars to fund equipment replacement and supportive infrastructure projects for the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Program. Funds will be used to assist owners of diesel-fueled equipment that moves freight in California’s major trade corridors. Applications are due by October 28, 2021.

The Air District is announcing the availability of $20 million dollars to fund equipment replacement and supportive infrastructure projects for the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Program. Funds will be used to assist owners of diesel-fueled equipment that moves freight in California’s major trade corridors. Applications are due by January 15, 2021.

The Air District is amending Regulation 6, Rule 3 to further reduce local and regional wintertime fine particulates and visible emissions from wood-burning devices used as a source of primary or supplemental heat or for ambiance. Public comments on the draft staff report and rule must be received by close of business Monday, August 31, 2015.

The Air District is inviting Bay Area residents to apply for the Clean Cars for All grant program which provides up to $9,500 for low-income members of communities disproportionately affected by air pollution to retire older vehicles and replace them with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicle, or get a Clipper Card for public transit.