News Releases and Air Alerts

Old Car Buy Back Program Expands Model Years

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) is now accepting vehicles, model year 1995 or older (expanded from the previous requirement of model year 1994 or older), under the popular Old Car Buy Back Program.

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Local Air Quality May be Affected by Smoke from California Wildfires

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to be alert to air quality conditions over the weekend. Smoke from the Woolsey and Hill fires in Ventura County and the Camp Fire in Butte County has the potential to start affecting our area, depending on wind and weather conditions.

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APCD Launches Voluntary Woodsmoke Reduction Program

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Today, the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) launched the voluntary Woodsmoke Reduction Program to help cover the costs of replacing residential wood-burning fireplaces or woodstoves with cleaner alternatives. 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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Care for Our Earth Grants for County Teachers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and Santa Barbara County Water Agency announced today that applications for the 2018-2019 Care for Our Earth teacher grants are due November 9, 2018.

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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 2018 clean air grant funding is now open, and the District will award projects on a first-come, first-served basis. People, businesses, and nonprofits looking to replace old diesel-powered equipment with newer, cleaner models are encouraged to apply.

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Electric Car Shows for National Drive Electric Week

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.

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Air Quality Watch for the Weekend

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.

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Tips on Being Air Quality Aware and Fire Prepared

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.

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Partners Launch 2018 Program to Protect Blue Whales and Blue Skies

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.

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