FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2021 (PDF) Contacts: General Questions: Lyz Bantilan, APCD Public Information Officer, (805) 961-8819 Applicant Questions: Alex Economou, APCD Air Quality

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District encourage Santa Barbara County residents to stay aware of local air quality conditions. Wildfires throughout the western United States are producing significant smoke that is being transported around the country, including to our area.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Alert for eastern Santa Barbara County, including the Cuyama area, to be in effect until conditions improve. Wildfires throughout the western United States are producing significant smoke that is being transported around the country, including now to our area.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) announced today that the 2021 Clean Air Grants Program will accept applications starting August 2, through September 3. Approximately $1.6 million is available for voluntary emission reduction grant projects.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5) are excited to announce the upcoming regional launch of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) on July 27. CALeVIP, administered by the nonprofit Center for Sustainable Energy, is an effort to accelerate the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout select regions in California.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to plan for poor air quality conditions caused by future wildfire smoke. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles known as particulate matter. These particles harm the lungs and heart, and can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, and in severe instances, premature mortality.

The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2020 program and recognized the shipping companies that successfully participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Southern California region. The program’s new Southern California region extends from Point Arguello (in Santa Barbara County) to waters near Dana Point (by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach). The voluntary incentive program, called “Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies,” ran May 15, 2020 through November 15, 2020.

For National Air Quality Awareness Week (May 3-7), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will provide information to learn more about our air quality.

For National Air Quality Awareness Week (May 3-7), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will provide information on our air quality.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) is now accepting vehicles, model year 1997 or older (expanded from the previous requirement of model year 1995 or older), under the popular Old Car Buy Back Program.