| Quarterly meeting
Friday, June 11, 2010 |
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Save the Date for our next Quarterly Luncheon! |
Date:
Friday, June 11, 2010
Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
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Quarterly Meeting Focuses on Federal Air Agenda |
Clean and Green, Transportation and Air Quality teams coordinate federal efforts
 Fees on area businesses, climate change, diesel engine change-outs, and other air quality policies were the focus of the recent Cleaner Air Partnership quarterly meeting held at in a high-tech classroom at Drexel University, our host for the Spring meeting.
Some 40 Clean Air Partnership members came to learn more about the federal policy agenda that a delegation of 300 business, government, and community leaders will take to Washington, D.C., this April as part of the annual "Capitol to Capitol" program, put on by the Sacramento Metro Chamber. The five-day trip is the largest of its kind conducted by any chamber of commerce in the United States.
"The focus of this meeting was highlighting the 4-5 main policy and funding priorities for three of the 14 teams who are traveling to Washington - Air Quality, Transportation, and Green Energy," said Bill Mueller, manager of the Cleaner Air Partnership. "Our intent was not only to showcase these federal priorities, but to talk about where these teams' policy priorities intersect to coordinate our efforts and strengthen our case in Washington."
The Air Quality Team, co-chaired by Larry Greene, the Air Pollution Control Officer for Sacramento Metropolitan Air District and Becky Wood, Environmental Manager for Teichert, is carrying five issues and one funding request.
"We're asking Congress to appropriate $3 million for incentive programs to reduce wood smoke in the Sacramento Region, said Greene. "The largest single sources of particulate matter, or soot, in our region is the burning of wood and other solid fuels in fireplaces or pellet stoves."
The policy issues this year range from winning federal support for advanced land use and transportation planning tools pioneering by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, to maintaining funding levels for congestion mitigation funds that pay for engine retrofits to clean up our air, to appealing for local flexibility in developing a response to climate change.
Click here for a link to a recording of the meeting. To learn more about the Cap-to-Cap trip or the air quality issues being addressed, contact Bill Mueller. |
Mowing Down Air Pollution in Yolo and Solano Counties |
Lawn mower exchange saves money and cleans the air
 To promote the reduction of air pollution from gas-powered lawn mowers, the Yolo-Solano Air District is offering a cordless, rechargeable electric mowers at a reduced price when a gas-powered mower is turned in. The program is co-sponsored by the California Air Resources Board, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Solano County and participating recycling centers.
In some cases, residents can receive a savings of $230 off the regular retail price of an electric mower with a trade-in while making a big impact on cleaning our air. On-line registration opens for the program April 1, 2010.
"Rechargeable mowers produce no on-site emissions, are lighter, quieter and easy to use," according to Mat Ehrhardt, executive director of the YSAQMD. "Participants can choose between two sizes. The 14" cut model is $169 (regular retail price $399) and the 19" cut model is $269 (regular retail price $499). Both are a great buy in this economy and the shipping is free," added Ehrhardt.
Only residents in Yolo and Solano Counties are eligible to participate. For more information, visit www.neutonpower.com/YS or call 800-463-4958 |
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Leadership Summit showcases youth-led research
 Breathe California Sacramento-Emigrant Trails' Youth Advisory Board will be hosting the annual Youth Leadership Summit on April 10, 2010. Approximately 60 youth volunteers and mentors will attend this half day event focusing on what improvements can be done to better air quality.
Over the last several months these student volunteers have been participating in the research project A.I.R. (Ask. Investigate. Resolve.). A.I.R. is a research, education and advocacy project designed to allow students to conduct a scientific research project while learning about air quality issues. These students have been focused on an air quality assessment project that evaluates factors which may hinder or promote good air quality.
At the Youth Leadership Summit, participants will have the opportunity to not only present their findings, but also work with mentors on creating possible mitigations to help improve the air quality in their respective campuses.
For more information about the Youth Leadership Summit or other Breathe California youth activities, contact Anne Iaccopucci. | |
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| The Cleaner Air Partnership is a joint project of Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Valley Vision to help the Sacramento Region meet clean air standards that protect health and promote economic growth. | |
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