Achieve Impact
The strategies in Goal 1 are designed to achieve real, measurable reductions in air pollution, with a focus on communities that continue to be most heavily impacted by exposures to air pollution.
Overview
Goal 1 of the strategic plan, "Achieve Impact", focuses on improving air quality planning to provide measurable benefits for Bay Area residents. To do this, we are developing a more complete picture of local pollution by incorporating community perspectives and lived experiences into our data. We are also working to strengthen our regulations and enforcement policies to better hold industry accountable for violations. Additionally, we are collaborating with communities to redesign the distribution of electric vehicle funding and infrastructure for vulnerable populations while spearheading regional climate solutions and expanding support for our local government partners.
Goal 1 - Achieve Impact
Strategy progress
We are shifting from a more traditional regional focus on air pollution to include more local and equity-centered approach. This means not only reducing regionwide air pollution, but pollution at the neighborhood level. We do this by better understanding which sources cause the most pollution and health impacts, partnering with community to understand their concerns, and identifying the most impactful ways we can reduce pollution, both regionally and locally. This work will be mostly embodied in the Air District’s new Clean Air Plan.
PieChart
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PieChart
JSS component is missing React implementation. See the developer console for more information.
PieChart
JSS component is missing React implementation. See the developer console for more information.
Strategy progress
We are making our regulations more health protective by enhancing existing rules, developing new rules, and developing a regulatory review process. This past year we worked on tightening rules on woodburning devices, metal recycling and shredding operations, fugitive dust, health risk assessments, refinery flaring and monitoring. We are developing regulatory concepts for a new indirect source rule, which would address pollution from facilities like warehouses. Finally, a new internal Regulatory Review Program is being built to ensure all rules are regularly updated to stay aligned with current health standards, and community and Board priorities.
Strategy progress
We are minimizing flaring at oil refineries to lessen the impact flaring has on nearby communities, including air pollution and odors. We are also increasing engagement and transparency around our efforts to minimize flaring.
Strategy progress
We are improving our funding programs so that they better benefit communities impacted by air pollution. To do this, we are asking community members what changes they want in our incentive programs and reducing barriers in applying for funds and increasing the variety of projects we fund.
Strategy progress
We are improving how we investigate violations of Air District regulations to strengthen legal actions and better document health impacts of violations. Improved investigation reports will include expanded information on duration of violations and avoided costs, among other things. We are also exploring ways to better assess health, emission, and air quality impacts of violations.
Strategy progress
We are developing a new enforcement policy rooted in environmental justice and informed by the people most impacted by air pollution. This past year, we successfully launched a dedicated Community Working Group to co-create the policy’s initial drafts. Currently, we are refining these core concepts alongside our community partners.
Strategy progress
We are maximizing the climate benefits of our incentive programs, have developed a regional climate action plan, and improving how we offer financial assistance to climate innovators through the Climate Tech Finance Program.