Fresno County's Air Pollution Control Program: What You Need Know

Fresno County, California, has been ranked as the dirtiest place in America for short-term particle pollution. The region has the highest annual concentrations of particle pollution in the country, with the air quality index (AQI) often falling in the unhealthy category. The county's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, factory emissions, and smoke from wildfires. To address this issue, Fresno County has implemented various strategies, including the Community Air Monitoring Plan and the Community Emissions Reduction Program. These programs aim to identify areas of high risk, develop emissions reduction strategies, and monitor their effectiveness. Despite some improvements over the last two decades, Fresno County still faces significant air pollution challenges, and experts call for critical changes to improve the air quality in the region.

The Community Air Monitoring Plan

The plan is implemented by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (Valley Air District) in collaboration with the community steering committee, which represents diverse community viewpoints. The committee's role is to oversee the development and implementation of the program, including community identification, air monitoring, and emissions reduction. The Valley Air District has introduced a new RAAN interface that provides air quality information based on location within the San Joaquin Valley.

The community of South Central Fresno, located in the center of the San Joaquin Valley, has a high cumulative air pollution exposure burden. This is due to various factors, including freight operations, industry, and freeways. The community has been the focus of numerous air quality studies, which have informed the development of emissions reduction programs. The collection of comprehensive air quality data is essential for creating effective emissions reduction plans. Various monitoring platforms and resources are utilized to conduct air monitoring in Valley communities, including high-precision regulatory-grade equipment on trailers, vans, and portable systems.

AB 617 program

Fresno County has been ranked among the worst in the United States for multiple pollution measurements. The region's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions from commuters, tourists, and truck traffic, as well as factory emissions from industry and farming operations. Wildfires across the state also worsen the air quality in Fresno.

In response to these issues, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) established the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) in 2017, also known as the AB 617 program. The program's primary focus is to reduce exposure to air pollution in communities most impacted by it. The AB 617 program involves working with communities across the state to develop and implement strategies to measure and reduce air pollution and its health impacts.

The AB 617 program includes the Community Health Protection Program, which aims to employ proven and innovative strategies to improve community health. This involves working with various stakeholders, including community groups, community members, environmental organizations, and regulated industries, to reduce harmful air pollutants. The program offers emission reduction grants as part of the Community Air Protection Incentives Program, funding mobile source projects that clean up old, dirty heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

The AB 617 program also includes the Community Emissions Reduction Program, which focuses on reducing exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), toxic air contaminants (TAC), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Reduction strategies under this program target heavy-duty vehicles, passenger cars, residential wood-burning activities, new industrial developments, and stationary sources of concern, such as power plants and gas distribution facilities.

The Community Air Monitoring Plan, a part of the AB 617 program, identifies areas of interest for monitoring, including stationary and mobile sources, monitoring site locations, and types of equipment. The plan aims to obtain detailed air pollution data, determine high-risk areas, quantify sources of air pollution, and develop and monitor emissions reduction strategies.

Wildfires and smoke

Fresno County, California, has been the focus of numerous air quality studies, which have informed the development of emissions reduction programs. The county's air quality is affected by several factors, including vehicle emissions, factory emissions, and smoke from wildfires. Wildfires across the state often spread smoke to the Fresno area, worsening the city's poor air quality and significantly increasing pollution levels. For example, in August 2020, wildfires in Northern California caused the air quality index (AQI) in Fresno to rise to a daily average of over 150 AQI, peaking at 219 ("Very Unhealthy").

The South Central Fresno community, located in the San Joaquin Valley, faces a high cumulative air pollution exposure burden due to freight operations, industry, and freeways. To address this issue, the Community Emissions Reduction Program: South Central Fresno was developed in coordination with a community steering committee. The program focuses on reducing exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), toxic air contaminants (TAC), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Strategies target heavy-duty vehicles, passenger cars, residential wood-burning activities, new industrial developments, and stationary sources like power plants and gas distribution facilities.

The Community Air Monitoring Plan, part of the AB 617 program, aims to identify areas of interest for monitoring and collect localized air pollution data. By considering health statistics and community concerns, the plan helps develop emissions reduction strategies and monitor their effectiveness. The AB 617 program is overseen by a community steering committee that fosters local partnerships and ensures community involvement in decision-making.

While Fresno's air quality has shown some improvement over the last two decades, with reductions in ozone and particle pollution, it still ranks among the worst in the United States for multiple pollution measurements. The high levels of air pollution in Fresno pose a significant threat to the health of sensitive groups and the entire population, especially those with cardiac or respiratory conditions. The implementation of emissions reduction programs and community engagement through steering committees are crucial steps towards improving air quality and protecting the health of Fresno County residents.

Vehicle emissions

Fresno County, California, has been ranked among the worst in the United States for air pollution. The region's air quality is affected by several factors, including vehicle emissions from commuters, tourists, and truck traffic. Nearly 1.5 million mostly fuel-inefficient trucks pass through Fresno County annually, contributing to diesel and particle pollution. In addition, emissions from passenger vehicles, farming equipment, and other sources result in high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Nox pollution.

To address this issue, the South Central Fresno community, located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, has developed a Community Emissions Reduction Program in coordination with a community steering committee. This program aims to reduce exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), toxic air contaminants (TAC), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Strategies target heavy-duty vehicles, passenger cars, and other sources of concern.

The Community Air Monitoring Plan, part of the AB 617 program, is designed to obtain detailed air pollution data, identify high-risk areas, and develop emissions reduction strategies. This plan involves regulatory monitoring and community input to address health concerns and environmental issues.

Furthermore, Fresno's unique geography, with low elevations in the Central Valley, traps pollutants from vehicle emissions, farming activities, and industrial operations. The region's consistent vehicle traffic, driven by its role as an agricultural and industrial hub and a tourist stop, exacerbates air quality issues.

To mitigate vehicle emissions, Fresno has implemented an electric bus fleet, funded by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other initiatives. These efforts aim to reduce the negative health impacts of poor air quality, especially on minority populations who are disproportionately affected. Overall, Fresno County is actively working to improve its air quality and address the challenges posed by vehicle emissions through a combination of community engagement, technological advancements, and targeted reduction strategies.

Stationary sources of pollution

Fresno County has been ranked among the worst metropolitan areas in the United States for multiple types of air pollution. The county's air quality is affected by several factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and wildfires.

To address this issue, Fresno County has implemented various programs and initiatives to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. One such initiative is the Community Emissions Reduction Program: South Central Fresno, which aims to reduce exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), toxic air contaminants (TAC), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). As part of this program, reduction strategies target several sources of pollution, including stationary sources such as power plants, glass manufacturing facilities, and gas distribution facilities.

• Power Plants: Power generation facilities, particularly those that rely on fossil fuel combustion, can emit a range of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases. These emissions contribute to air quality issues and have negative impacts on human health and the environment.
• Glass Manufacturing: The process of manufacturing glass can release various air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions can have adverse effects on air quality and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a major component of smog.
• Gas Distribution Facilities: Facilities involved in the storage, transmission, and distribution of natural gas can be a source of methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Leaks or accidental releases from gas distribution facilities can have a significant impact on air quality and the environment.
• Industrial Developments: New or existing industrial facilities, such as factories or manufacturing plants, can be stationary sources of pollution. These facilities may release a range of pollutants depending on their specific operations, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and greenhouse gases.
• Agricultural Operations: While not typically considered stationary sources, large-scale agricultural operations can contribute to air pollution in Fresno County. Activities such as crop burning, fertilizer application, and livestock farming can release pollutants like ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, impacting air quality.

It is important to note that the identification and regulation of stationary sources of pollution are crucial components of air quality management. By targeting these sources through emissions reduction strategies, monitoring programs, and enforcement of standards, Fresno County can effectively mitigate air pollution and improve the overall health and well-being of its residents.

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