The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) is a non-profit association of the Air Pollution Control Officers from all 35 local air quality agencies throughout California. CAPCOA was formed over 50 years ago in 1975 to promote and advocate for clean air and to provide a forum for sharing of knowledge, experience, and information among the air quality regulatory agencies across the State and the Nation. The Association advocates for healthy air quality by promoting unity and efficiency, and strives to encourage consistency in methods and practices of air pollution control. It is an organization of the Executive Officers across the state who lead the tireless quest of healthy air quality for all.
What CAPCOA Does
The Association is staffed by a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians who provide support to the air districts in meeting their responsibilities to regulate air pollution. The Association accomplishes this by providing:
TRAINING – CAPCOA sponsors numerous training opportunities throughout the year in order to provide local district staff, state and federal government staff, industry, tribal governments, and the public with the latest information on air pollution control techniques.
INFORMATION – Through its website, social media presence, its Public Outreach Committee, and attending in person events, provides a wealth of material to the general public. The Association actively promotes public health.
COORDINATION – CAPCOA meets regularly with federal and state air quality officials to develop statewide rules and policies to ensure consistent application of air pollution laws and regulations. Close coordination is also maintained with the regulated community, environmental advocacy groups, and the communities that the air districts serve.
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY – CAPCOA actively participates in the development and implementation of air quality bills that speed progress toward healthful air quality, reduce costs, and streamlines air quality laws.
Local Air Districts
In accordance with federal and state law, air quality regulation in California is a shared responsibility between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which is generally responsible for regulating mobile source emissions, and 35 local air pollution control and air quality management districts, which are responsible for regulating stationary source emissions. In addition to directly regulating stationary source emissions, air districts have the authority to implement control measures which affect transportation sources, including automobiles. Air district activities are closely coordinated with U.S. EPA and CARB activities to holistically address air pollution. Air districts range from small, single county districts such as Tehama or Lassen, to multi-county agencies such as the San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area and South Coast air districts. As stationary source emissions are unique to their locations, air districts provide the necessary expertise and knowledge of local conditions and needs to address those local and regional air pollution impacts. Air districts are governed by Boards consisting primarily of elected officials, and are staffed by engineers, planners, attorneys, inspectors, meteorologists, chemists, technicians, and other scientists.
Current Air Issues
Despite significant progress realized over decades of hard work, California continues to face some of the worst air quality in the nation. Our growing population of nearly 40 million residents, the fact our economy is the fifth largest in the world, and increasing climate change impacts that exacerbate issues including increased wildfire risk and extreme weather events makes this a special challenge.
CAPCOA and its members are meeting these issues head-on by working with specialized task forces and work groups, participating actively in the legislative process, and coordinating local efforts with those of state and federal air, energy, and land use agencies. Our goal is to protect public health while ensuring control measures promote equity as well as maintain economic vitality.
What Local Air Districts Do
EMISSIONS CONTROL – Districts adopt stringent rules to limit harmful emissions from commercial and industrial facilities, taking into consideration the latest technologies available and cost-effectiveness.
MONITORING – In coordination with our state and federal partners, air districts operate a sophisticated and extensive network of monitors to measure daily ambient concentrations of pollutants in a local area.
COMPLIANCE – Tens of thousands of sources of air pollution are inspected on a regular basis statewide to assure compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Assistance programs are set up to help business comply.
PERMITTING – Operating conditions and emissions data are reviewed to ensure that regulations are implemented in a timely and environmentally sound manner. Special permit assistance is available to businesses.
COMPLAINTS – Citizen complaints are promptly and thoroughly investigated by district personnel to make sure public health is being adequately protected.
PLANNING & RESEARCH – Districts must look ahead to identify future needs to meet state and federal mandates. Research projects are conducted to find new technologies, such as alternative fuels and energy sources, which support our efforts.
OUTREACH – Districts have established outreach programs, including business assistance programs designed to help the business community understand and more easily comply with applicable regulations, and to provide businesses with technical, financial, and administrative assistance. Many districts have school and community outreach programs to educate children and adults about air quality and what we can do to keep our air clean.