Achieve Impact

Strategy progress

We are shifting from a more traditional regional focus on air pollution to include more local and equity-centered approach. This means not only reducing regionwide air pollution, but pollution at the neighborhood level. We do this by better understanding which sources cause the most pollution and health impacts, partnering with community to understand their concerns, and identifying the most impactful ways we can reduce pollution, both regionally and locally. This work will be mostly embodied in the Air District’s new Clean Air Plan.

Understanding Sources of Air Pollution: We are improving our air pollution models to better estimate how sources like refineries, highways, gas stations and restaurants contribute to poor air quality in specific communities. We are also updating our inventory of air toxics to understand the most accurate and up-to-date picture of air toxics emissions, as exposures to these emissions can increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other health impacts.

Partnering with Community: We are expanding our pipeline for community concerns to influence how we do air quality planning. We are also crafting plain-language reporting, so people can better understand exactly how local pollution could impact their health.

Identifying Impactful Measures: By mid-2026, we will finalize a set of actions or "measures" to reduce air pollution. This involves developing strategies designed to meet regional air quality standards while simultaneously addressing local air pollution. We are also developing a framework to prioritize measures that specifically reduce inequitable exposures - ensuring that the most burdened communities continue to benefit from the air pollution reduction measures we select.

Strategy progress

We are making our regulations more health protective by enhancing existing rules, developing new rules, and developing a regulatory review process.

Strengthening Existing Regulations: This past year we worked on tightening rules on woodburning devices, metal recycling and shredding operations, fugitive dust, health risk assessments, refinery flaring and monitoring.

• Woodburning: The Air District Board adopted changes to our woodburning regulation, Rule 6-3: Wood-burning Devices, on October 1, 2025. Key changes include a lower air pollution limit for when the Air District can ban woodburning, which would increase the frequency of Spare the Air alerts. Also, residents whose only source of heat is wood now must use an EPA-certified device registered with the Air District; open-hearth fireplaces no longer qualify for a sole source exemption. Emissions standards for new wood heaters were also updated to match current federal limits and incentives were made available to help homeowners switch to electric heat pumps.
• Metal recycling and shredding: We presented ideas for amending Rule 6-4: Metal Recycling and Shredding Operations at public workshops in June and July 2025. Concepts presented would change the regulation to include a move from self-reported "minimization plans" to a set of mandatory, enforceable best management practices, including practices that limit dust. This would improve enforceability of the rule by ensuring all sources are subject to the same level of control and nearby residents can be aware of facility requirements. We are also drafting fenceline air monitoring and notification requirements in this effort to meet the requirements of Assembly Bill 2851.
• Fugitive dust: We have drafted regulatory ideas and have begun public workshops to amend our rules on fugitive dust, Rule 6-1: Particulate Matter, General Requirements and Rule 6-6: Prohibition of Trackout. Rule concepts focus on shifting from self-managed approaches to mandatory, enforceable standards and, in limited cases, fenceline air monitoring. These ideas are primarily targeting, high-impact sources like construction, earthmoving, and industrial material handling.
• Air toxics: In October 2025, we held public workshops on draft amendments to our rule on air toxics rule, Rule 11-18: Reduction of Risk from Air Toxic Emissions at Existing Facilities. We incorporated comments and presented an update to a Board committee in November and December 2025. Staff proposed changes that would accelerate air toxic risk mitigation by shifting technical responsibility to facility operators. Key changes include requiring operator-prepared Health Risk Assessments (HRAs), mandatory, faster compliance timelines, and use of Dispute Resolution Panel for technical conflicts. These proposed changes will be considered by the Board of Directors at public hearing in June of 2026.
• Refinery flaring: We presented an update on refinery flaring to the Stationary Source Committee. We also convened an external working group to advise on strengthening flaring regulations and monitoring efforts, Rule 12-11: Flare Monitoring at Petroleum Refineries and Rule 12-12: Flares at Petroleum Refineries. We are also developing concepts to minimize flaring and will hold a public workshop on concepts soon.
• Refinery fenceline air monitoring: We are developing a rule to update and strengthen fenceline air monitoring requirements for refineries. We released a concept paper for public comment in February 2026 and continue to engage with stakeholders.

Developing New Rules: We are developing regulatory concepts for an indirect source rule, which would target facilities like warehouses. At a recent Air District Stationary Source Committee meeting, staff presented regulatory ideas and the committee discussed the general air quality impacts of indirect sources, specific issues related to warehouses, and how to prioritize actions, timelines, and resources.

Regulatory Review: We are building an internal Regulatory Review Program to ensure all rules are regularly updated to stay aligned with current health standards, and community and Board priorities.

Strategy progress

We are minimizing flaring at oil refineries to lessen the impact flaring has on communities, including air pollution and odors. We are also increasing engagement and transparency around our efforts to minimize flaring.

Minimize Flaring: We are evaluating existing flaring minimization plans to strengthen Rules 12-11 and 12-12. A specialized technical working group - including community and industry representatives - is developing rule amendments, with public workshops scheduled for early 2026.

Increase Public Engagement: A new flaring “101" guide is being developed to help neighbors understand refinery operations. Engagement plans include upcoming hybrid and in-person workshops in Martinez and Richmond.

Share Timely, Accessible Information To make incident data more accessible, the Air District is overhauling its website with easier navigation, better language access, and a prominent new banner for emergency updates. We also recently completed a paid social media campaign (ended December 2025) to encourage residents to sign up for a public notification tool that alerts them to local industrial incidents.

Strategy progress

We are improving our funding programs so that they better benefit communities impacted by air pollution. To do this, we are asking community members what changes they want in our incentive programs and reducing barriers in applying for funds and increasing the variety of projects we fund.

Ask Community About Needed Changes: Guided by community priorities, the Air District enhanced its Vehicle Buy Back program by raising the incentive to $2,000 and expanding eligibility to year-2000 models. These changes resulted in a sixfold increase in participation across the Bay Area since these changes were implemented.

We are also developing an incentive program to accelerate electrification at marine ports and airports. To support this, we are collaborating with stakeholders at the Ports of Oakland and Richmond to assess equipment needs, infrastructure readiness, and potential barriers to transitioning to cleaner technology.

Additionally, we are actively working with communities in East Oakland and Bayview Hunters Point to identify new ideas to improve our incentive programs.

Reduce Barriers and Increase Project Variety: We have made progress in reducing funding barriers and increasing the types of projects we fund across several incentive programs:

• Air Filtration: Allocated $4 million for high-efficiency filters, with $3 million for schools in Richmond-San Pablo and San Francisco, and $1 million for a residential pilot program.
• Transportation Grants: Updated policies now provide higher grant amounts for bikeways, zero-emission vehicles, and trip-reduction projects in heavily impacted areas.
• Mobile Source Upgrades: Starting in 2026, new program increases award amounts and streamlines eligibility for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle upgrades.
• Lawn & Garden Pilot: Launched a voucher program for electric equipment in Bayview-Hunters Point, Oakland, and Richmond, with plans to expand region-wide in late 2026.
• EV Program Review: Analyzing survey data and participant feedback this quarter to identify and remove barriers to our electric vehicle grant program, Clean Cars for All.

Strategy progress

We are improving how we investigate and document violations of Air District regulations, especially in communities overburdened by air pollution. We are also exploring ways to better assess health, emission, and air quality impacts of violations.

Enhancing Investigation Procedure: We are developing guidance on violation investigation and report writing to strengthen legal actions and to prioritize investigations of violations that have the greatest impact on community health. Since October 2025, we have been developing investigation and report writing guidelines. Next steps include consulting with select community partners, followed by finalizing materials, training all inspectors, and implementing updated guidelines.

Better Quantifying Emissions and Health Impacts: An internal, cross-divisional team has created air quality violation case studies and is exploring mechanisms for assessing the health impacts of violations. This year, we will develop a plan to identify assessment approaches, best practices, and tools.

Strategy progress

In 2025, we began reassessing how we hold polluters accountable. We are developing a new enforcement policy rooted in environmental justice and informed by people most impacted by air pollution. This past year, we successfully launched a dedicated Community Working Group to co-create the policy’s initial drafts. Currently, we are refining these core concepts alongside our community partners.

Looking ahead, we will invite the broader public to review and shape the policy in Summer 2026.

Strategy progress

We are maximizing the climate benefits of our incentive programs, have successfully led the development of a regional climate action plan, and are improving how we offer financial assistance to climate innovators through the Climate Tech Finance Program.

Maximizing Climate Benefits: To maximize the climate benefits of our incentive programs, we are working to increase electric vehicle (EV) and clean equipment adoption:

• Expanded Outreach: Launching text campaigns, "ride and drive" events, and mailers for the Clean Cars for All grant program. Partnering with nonprofits and analyzing survey data to identify and remove participation barriers.
• Increased Funding: Higher grant amounts for zero-emission projects in heavily polluted areas. Throughout 2026, we will be streamlining eligibility requirements and increasing awards for heavy-duty vehicle upgrades, specifically benefiting communities heavily impacted by air pollution.
• Industrial Electrification: A targeted incentive program for electric equipment at ports and airports (e.g., cargo handlers and harbor craft) is being developed.
• Indirect Source Regulation: Exploring new rules for "indirect sources" like warehouses to address the pollution generated by the traffic they attract.

Planning for Carbon Neutrality: The Air District led the creation of the Bay Area Regional Climate Action Plan, or BARCAP, designed to help steer the state toward carbon neutrality by 2045. The plan lays out 16 measures and 57 actions that will reduce climate pollution, improve air quality, create jobs and economic growth, and deliver better health and quality of life for those living in the Bay Area. These benefits will be especially felt in frontline communities, where people often experience greater impacts from changes in climate and air pollution.

Financing Climate Innovation: We are assessing our Climate Tech Finance Program for possible program improvements. We are drafting an impact assessment report incorporating feedback from 107 survey responses and 11 partner interviews. The final report will include program recommendations based on stakeholder insights.