Sacramento to meet air quality goals ahead of schedule

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Sacramento region’s Ozone Plan, which demonstrates the region will meet a federal eight-hour ozone standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) two years ahead of schedule, or by July 20, 2025. “Today is a remarkable day for air quality progress in the Sacramento region,” Board member and Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna said last week when CARB adopted the plan. “This achievement is the product of effective partnerships and strong state controls on air pollution from cars and trucks.” Air quality has improved substantially in the region, primarily due to emission reductions from cars and trucks, which generate 85 percent of the region’s oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a primary contributor to ozone, or smog. Most of the reductions are due to CARB’s successful air pollution control programs aimed at cars and trucks. Due to regulations being phased in over time, the region is expected to benefit from further emission reductions in the future.