Planning & Sustainability

Planning.  Planning is the coordination of all facets of the District’s functions to meet its air quality goals. 

 
Sustainability Activities.  The District supports the framework and goals of the Paris Climate Accord, and the climate sustainability efforts of the County and cities within the District: 

  • Advisement and Planning.  The District participates in an advisory role to help planners and local government with complex air quality issues, including GHGs.  It is not uncommon for Districts to be CEQA commenters and to assist planners with zoning and land use; to assist in the establishment of GHG thresholds; to prevent and address air quality nuisances; and to identify potential pollution impacts to sensitive communities. 


  • Create Co-Benefits.  The District has chosen to be proactive by crafting incentive programs with GHG reduction co-benefits under its Vehicle Pollution Mitigation Program, state Carl Moyer Program, and other non-permit funded programs.  For example, the District’s 3-2-1 Go Green!  EV incentive program reduces GHGs by removing combustion vehicles from the roads and supports development of an EV charging infrastructure.  The District’s 3-2-1 Burn Clean! Wood Stove program destroys old dirty stoves, reduces black soot, a powerful climate change pollutant, and provides an option to electrify heating.  The Carl Moyer program provides options to remove dirty diesel engines from operation with cleaner engines or conversion to electric operation. 


  • GHG Rx.  Districts in California via the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) have formed a unique collaboration in the “GHG Rx” which is an exchange that identifies and makes available quality carbon credits for local mitigation projects.  In addition to participating as a Board member, the NSCAPCD has a CARB-approved GHG verifier, to review the value of proposed projects for GHG credits.



Sustainability Partners.  The District supports strategic partners in various ways including endorsements for grants, program cross-advertising/promotion, program information sharing and co-development, and direct program funding.  Some of these include:

  • State of CA/CARB.  The passage of AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires California to reduce its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 — a reduction of approximately 15 percent below emissions expected under a “business as usual” scenario. The main strategies for making these reductions are outlined in the Scoping Plan.





 
Legislative Platform.  Staying abreast of legislative activity helps keep the District visible, aware of new opportunities, and promotes policy and rules that work at a local level.  This is the District’s “legislative platform” which is approved by its Board of Directors at its general meetings.  Some relevant new state air quality legislation passed in 2017 include:

  • AB 1274:       Portion of smog fee to go to Carl Moyer program.
  • AB 1317:       Irrigation & well pumps added to Carl Moyer as replaceable units.​
  • SB 563:          Development of statewide woodstove program funded by GHG funds.
  • AB 1132:       APCO can order immediate abatement in severe situations.
  • AB 398:         10-year extension of GHG Cap and Trade program.​
  • AB 617:         New requirements for monitoring, standards, industry permits & reports.

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