Santa Barbara, Calif. – The latest electric cars will soon be on display in communities throughout Santa Barbara County for National Drive Electric Week, which runs September 8-16. The car shows will provide the opportunity to meet local drivers of electric vehicles and learn more about various makes and models of plug-in electric vehicles on the market. Attendees can also learn more about cash rebates, tax credits, and DMV stickers for driving in carpool lanes.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Today, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County through the weekend. Smoke from fires burning elsewhere in the state is causing high levels of particulate matter throughout Santa Barbara County.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage residents to be proactive and plan for poor air quality conditions when wildfires occur and smoke is present. The smoke and ash from wildfires is made up of very small particles known as particulate matter, or PM, which can cause health issues, especially for children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung conditions.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect whales today announced the launch of the 2018 incentive program, which will start July 1 and end November 15, 2018, with voluntary vessel speed reduction (VSR) zones in the Santa Barbara Channel region and San Francisco Bay area.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District announced today that it is seeking community input on air quality concerns and projects to reduce diesel exhaust pollution, as part of a new state initiative called the Community Air Protection program.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect whales today announced results from the 2017 program and publicly recognized the 11 shipping companies who participated, reducing speeds to 12 knots or less in two regions. For the first time the program included speed reduction zones in the San Francisco Bay Area in addition to the Santa Barbara Channel region. The voluntary incentive program started July 1 and ended November 15, 2017. The recognition ceremony, hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, is taking place today at the Bannings Landing Community Center near the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. —  The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today reflect on continuing health effects of the ash that fell during the Thomas Fire and the health effects of dust from the drying mud of the Montecito mudslides.

Homes and structures that are damaged or destroyed by a flood or fire can result in toxic debris and ash that contains heavy metals, asbestos, and other hazardous materials. If inhaled, microscopic asbestos fibers pose a serious health threat because they can become permanently lodged in body tissues. 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District remind the community that leaf blowers should not be used while there are large amounts of ash in our environment, as this could result in a violation of Air Pollution Control District regulations and endanger health. All county residents are encouraged to be good neighbors and not use leaf blowers. The Air Pollution Control District can take enforcement action against any person who uses a leaf blower in the aftermath of the Thomas Fire where a threat to public health in violation of state law and District regulations is determined.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, and Ventura County Air Pollution Control Districts are working in partnership to continue to assess the air quality across the northern and southern central coast regions.