Press Releases

2022 Press Releases

9-29-22: Notice of Virtual Hearing & Public Workshop Air Pollution Control District Hearing Board

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Hearing Board is providing notice to the public that it will conduct a virtual public hearing and workshop on Friday, October 14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in accordance with AB 361.

The Hearing Board will conduct a hearing to consider an application to amend the Stipulated Order of Abatement 17-01 issued to California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division.

A public workshop addressing the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Annual Report and Work Plan (ARWP) will also be held remotely at this time. The workshop will include a presentation of the draft ARWP by State Parks, and a presentation on the adequacy of the ARWP and effectiveness of mitigation by the Scientific Advisory Group and the APCD. The Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) has determined that the ARWP is provisionally approvable. After considering comments received at the workshop, the APCO will make a final decision on the ARWP. Approval of the ARWP may include conditions imposed by the APCO.

The hearing and workshop will provide an opportunity for the public to make general comments and on any item considered. The public is invited to provide written public comments in advance of the workshop. Comments must be received on or before Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.to boardclerk@slocleanair.org.

Friday, October 14, 2022
9:00 a.m.
Zoom Webinar Teleconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81331654308
YouTube Livestream Broadcast: https://youtu.be/Pd9dhAWrUag

Public participation details will be included in the agenda, available no later than October 10, 2022, on the District’s website at https://www.slocleanair.org/. To view all related documents, or to find out more about the efforts to mitigate dust emissions from the Oceano Dunes, visit https://SLOCleanAir.org/air quality/oceano-dunes-efforts.

9-29-22: Grant Funding Available Now for Electric Vehicle Infrastruture Projects - Apply Today!

The SLO County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is announcing grant funding opportunities to help local businesses, organizations, and employers install electric vehicle infrastructure. The incentive funding for these emission reduction projects is from the Community Air Protection Program, which is part of California Climate Investments (CCI). CCI is a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Funding available
Over $867,000 is available in specific regions of SLO County to fund the following eligible emission reduction project categories:
Electric Vehicle Charging/Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Projects Including, but not Limited to:

Workplaces
Low-income, multi-family housing
Municipalities
Businesses and Non-profit Organizations
Commercial
Medical Facilities
Wineries
Restaurants
Supermarkets

Transit Bus Replacement
Public School Bus Replacement
Zero Emission Agricultural Tractor and Engine Replacement

Location Eligibility
Priority for funding will be given to projects in designated low-income and disadvantaged communities across SLO County. The interactive map on the website listed below will help
you determine if your project location is in one of these areas. Projects outside of these areas may be eligible for funding if there are not enough projects to expend the funds. Visit our website for detailed information about the program.

Since 1997, the APCD has granted $33.2 million dollars through SLO County emission reduction incentive programs, resulting in the reduction of an estimated 3,284 tons of air pollution from sources throughout SLO County. The emission reduction projects funded with the above listed incentives infuse dollars into our local economy which helps modernize our businesses and communities and help provides cleaner air for all to enjoy.

Application forms and more information can be found online at SLOCleanAir.org/community/grants/caap

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El Distrito de Control de la Contaminación del Aire del Condado de SLO (APCD, por sus siglas en inglés) está anunciando oportunidades de financiamiento de subvenciones para ayudar a las empresas, organizaciones y empleadores locales a instalar infraestructura de vehículos eléctricos. La financiación de incentivos para estos proyectos de reducción de emisiones proviene del Programa de Protección del Aire Comunitario, que forma parte de California Climate Investments (CCI). CCI es un programa estatal que pone a trabajar miles de millones de dólares de Cap-and-Trade para reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, fortalecer la economía y mejorar la salud pública y el medio ambiente, particularmente en comunidades desfavorecidas y de bajos ingresos.

Financiamiento disponible
Más de $867,000 están disponibles en regiones específicas del condado de SLO para financiar las siguientes categorías de proyectos de reducción de emisiones elegibles:
Proyectos de infraestructura de carga de vehículos eléctricos/combustibles alternativos que incluyen, entre otros:

lugares de trabajo
Viviendas multifamiliares para personas de bajos ingresos
Municipios
Empresas y Organizaciones sin fines de lucro
Comercial
Instalaciones medicas
Bodegas
Restaurantes
supermercados

Reemplazo de autobuses de tránsito
Reemplazo del autobús escolar público
Reemplazo de motores y tractores agrícolas de cero emisiones

Elegibilidad de ubicación
Se dará prioridad para la financiación a proyectos en comunidades desfavorecidas y de bajos ingresos designadas en todo el condado de SLO. El mapa interactivo en el sitio web que se indica a continuación le ayudará

9-27-22: Learn More About Electric Cars During National Drive Electric Week

The SLO County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Electric Drive 805 coalition, and many other partners are proud to sponsor a variety of free in-person and virtual events during National Drive Electric Week (September 23 – October 2). The public is invited to learn about the wide range of electric vehicles (EVs) that can fit many lifestyles and budgets.

National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to help the U.S. transition rapidly and equitably to cleaner transportation that protects communities from pollution and worsening climate change impacts. While our transportation modes continue to make vast improvements and tailpipe emissions get cleaner and cleaner, transportation alone is still responsible for more than half of California’s carbon emissions, 80 percent of its smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of the state’s toxic diesel emissions. Recently, the State announced that by 2035, 100 percent of new cars and light trucks sold in California will be required to be zero-emission vehicles.

National Drive Electric Week is also a great opportunity to see what financial incentives are available, including for low-to-moderate income households. Here is a current list of incentives, many of which can be combined, if eligible, to maximize savings:

Clean Vehicle Rebate Project – up to $7,000
Federal EV Tax Credit - up to $7,500
Access Clean California — a one-stop-shop to find the programs that California offers to help drivers switch to electric cars and clean energy. Use this link for personalized EV purchase guidance assistance
Central Coast Community Energy Electrify Your Ride Program

Virtual Events – each webinar is free and requires advance registration.

Maximizing the Value of Electric Vehicles– Tuesday, September 27

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT

Part 2 of a series discussing the value of the Electric Vehicle as battery storage for backup power for homes, businesses and microgrids and in the future, as grid storage using Vehicle-to-Grid technology. This webinar will highlight the various technologies and protocols that are being developed and tested to facilitate widespread implementation of V2G.

Get Charged: Everything You Need to Know to Go Electric – Thursday, October 6

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. PT

People curious about whether electric vehicles are right for them are particularly encouraged to attend. Experts in the field will share everything you need to know to start driving electric.

In-person SLO County events:

Experience electric vehicles firsthand, get questions answered from experts and drivers, and gain the support and confidence to make the switch to electric. For greater detail and to register for these events, go to https://driveelectricweek.org/.

SLO Farmers’ Market Electrify Your Life Showcase – Thursday, September 29

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT

SLO Farmers’ Market

1022 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

SLO EV Ride & Drive – Saturday, October 1

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PT

Prefumo Creek Commons

11970 Los Osos Valley Rd,, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

About SLO County APCD

As stewards of healthful air supporting a healthy environment, our mission is to realize and preserve clean air for all, promote community & individual responsibility for air quality, and to provide quality and cost-effective service. Find out more about all of the programs we have and grant funding available to add electric vehicle infrastructure at your workplace or business by visiting SLOCleanAir.org.

About Electric Drive 805

Electric Drive 805 is a coalition that includes the Community Environmental Council, San Luis Obispo County APCD, Santa Barbara County APCD, Ventura County APCD, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance, County of Santa Barbara, and Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition. We are dedicated to achieving a rapid transition to electric vehicles in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, and we do so by helping businesses and communities improve health and prosperity by reducing emissions from the largest source of pollution in our region: the cars we drive. Learn more: ElectricDrive805.org.

National Drive Electric Week is presented nationally by Plug In America, Electric Auto Association, Sierra Club, and EVHybridNoire. Local events hosted by Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition, EV Advocates of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, SLO Climate Coalition, Community Environmental Council, and Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance. Local partners and sponsors include the Air Pollution Control Districts of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties, Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club, California Clean Air Day, Electrify America, and the Electric Drive 805 coalition.