News Releases and Air Alerts

Santa Barbara County Attains State Ozone Standard

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is proud to announce that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today took action to designate Santa Barbara County as attainment with the state ozone standard – a first-time achievement for Santa Barbara County, which is now one of only approximately 14 counties in the state to reach this milestone.

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APCD to Launch Voluntary Woodsmoke Reduction Program on December 12

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Today, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) announced that the annual voluntary Woodsmoke Reduction Program that helps cover the costs of replacing residential wood-burning fireplaces or woodstoves with cleaner alternatives will launch on December 12. The District will reimburse participating retailers (listed below) up to $5,000 for replacement projects for customers who live in state-designated low-income communities, and up to $1,000 for projects for other customers.

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Grants for Teachers for Environmental Classroom Projects

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and Santa Barbara County Water Agency (SBCWA) are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2019-2020 Care For Our Earth grants, which are due by Friday, November 8, 2019.

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California Clean Air Day 2019

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and other local partners encourage Santa Barbara County residents to participate in California Clean Air Day.

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Prepare for Wildfire Smoke by Creating a “Clean Air Room”

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, 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. The smoke and ash from wildfires is made up of very small particles known as particulate matter, or PM. These particles can harm respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with medical conditions are especially sensitive.

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Apply for Clean Air Grant Funding

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District announced today that the application period for 2019 Clean Air Grant funding is now open. Approximately $2.5 million is available for this year’s grants.

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Now Accepting Applications for One Position on APCD Hearing Board

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) is recruiting to fill one position on the District Hearing Board. The Hearing Board is a five-member quasi-judicial body that makes determinations on permit appeals and variances from local District rules and regulations, and considers requests for permit revocations and abatement orders. The current opening is for the medical profession (with specialized skills, training, or interests in the fields of environmental medicine, community medicine, or occupational/toxicological medicine).

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Results from 2018 Marine Shipping Program

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2018 program and recognized the 12 shipping companies that participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Barbara Channel region. The voluntary incentive program ran July 1 – November 15, 2018. Partners recognized the companies at a ceremony at the Bannings Landing Community Center near the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.

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Regional Electric Drive 805 Coalition Launches

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District), along with the Air Pollution Control Districts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, Community Environmental Council (CEC), the Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), and Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) are teaming up to launch “Electric Drive 805.” This new coalition of local government agencies and non-profits will lead local efforts to increase access to affordable electric vehicles.

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