CARB Environmental Justice Blog

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) invites you to participate in technical summits on the implementation of the Community Air Protection Program (Program). The Program was established as directed in Assembly Bill (AB) 617 (C.Garcia, Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017) and provides a new community-focused action framework to reduce air pollution exposure in disadvantaged communities most impacted by air pollution.  CARB staff has drafted a concept paper with their initial proposals for CARB’s framework elements. The concept paper consists of strategies to reduce emissions and exposure, criteria for community emissions reduction programs, criteria for community air monitoring, implementation methods and a mapping framework. The three summits will be an opportunity for communities and other stakeholders to discuss, provide feedback and comments on the concept paper. Summits The summits will be held at the locations and dates shown below.   Each locati...

 Veronica Eady in her office. Welcome to CARB’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Blog. CARB leads the state’s efforts to protect the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and develops programs and actions to fight climate change. I’ve met or visited with many environmental justice advocates and community leaders across California over the past year. But, in case you don’t know me, my name is Veronica Eady. As CARB’s first Assistant Executive Officer for Environmental Justice, I am charged with making sure that CARB’s programs address environmental concerns of our most impacted communities, especially disadvantaged and low-income communities. This is CARB’s first ever blog and we’re happy to be forging this new communications pathway to provide more regular updates about our work. We see this blog as one of many tools for engaging California communities, and we’re hoping to reach new audiences with information about CARB’s efforts to reduce exposure from sources of ai...

 Veronica Eady en su oficina. Bienvenidos al blog de Justicia Ambiental del Consejo de Recursos del Aire de California (CARB, por sus siglas en inglés). El CARB se encarga de dirigir los esfuerzos estatales para proteger al público contra los efectos dañinos de la contaminación del aire y desarrollar programas y acciones para combatir el cambio climático. Durante el año pasado, conocí o visité a muchos partidarios de la justicia ambiental y líderes comunitarios, a través de California. Pero, en caso de que no me conozcan, me llamo Veronica Eady. Soy la primera persona elegida como Directora Asistente del Ejecutivo del CARB en Asuntos de Justicia Ambiental y estoy encargada de asegurar que los programas del CARB abordan las preocupaciones ambientales de nuestras comunidades más impactadas, especialmente las comunidades en desventaja y de bajos ingresos. Este es el primer blog del CARB y estamos felices de utilizar este nuevo medio de comunicación para brindar una actual...

SACRAMENTO — Californians can now see air pollution and air toxics emissions data for industrial facilities in their neighborhoods on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) website. Emissions data for greenhouse gases (GHGs), as well as smog causing pollutants and air toxics has been updated through 2015 and can be accessed through the CARB Air Pollution Mapping Tool. “This new tool is designed to improve transparency and accountability in California’s air pollution control program,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “Air quality monitoring reports are public information but they are often difficult for the public to access. Now anyone with access to a computer or a smartphone can look up emissions data for any major facility in the state.” Transportation is the largest source of both GHGs and most air pollutants, but hundreds of refineries, factories and other facilities across the state also release tens of millions of tons of air contaminants. Developm...

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signs AB 617. BELL GARDENS – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed AB 617 by Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) to establish a groundbreaking program to measure and combat air pollution at the neighborhood level – in the communities most impacted. “We passed these bills today for people like Maria who takes care of her five grandchildren in a one bedroom apartment in Bell Gardens but, is afraid to let the kids play outside in the poisoned air, and for Rocio who grows vegetables for her family in Commerce, but worries they could be toxic from the contaminated soil,” said Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. “This package, though historic, is only a strong down-payment. We have much work ahead of us to address regions, like mine, that have been treated like wastelands for generations. Justice is never swift. Env...