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| Clean Air Starts at the Nozzle | |
Save Money and Our Air at the Gas Station
Making small changes in how you do something as simple as pumping gas into your car can have a major impact on your wallet and our air quality. See the infographic below to learn how to pump smarter the next time you fill up, and read on for some fuel-efficiency tips!
- Avoid idling: Idling is harmful to the environment as it contributes to air pollution, climate change and increases your fuel costs. Idling a vehicle for more than 10 seconds not only pollutes the air, but increases how much fuel you use. Take the pledge to not idle your vehicles on the Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition website.
- Less is more: Don't carry around extra items in your car that you don't need. For every 100 pounds of weight in your car, fuel economy decreases by 1-2%.
- Fill up your tank early in the morning or at night: Gas expands with heat, so if you fill up when it is hot there is expansion and additional fumes. It's smarter to refuel in cooler temperatures- you actually get more fuel for your dollar.
- Mind your manners: Aggressive driving, excessive braking and fast acceleration can cause your fuel efficiency to decrease. The key to getting better mileage is moderating your velocity.
Click the flier to find out more about what you can do at the pump and to see frequently asked questions.
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| 2015 CAPCOA Outstanding Inspector | |
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| | Award winner, Mark Elliot 3rd from left, with Bob McLaughlin, BCAQMD (far left), Dora Drexler, SLOAPCD (2nd from left), and his wife, Terri Elliott (far right). |
Mark Elliott, an inspector at the APCD for 25 years, was named the 2015 CAPCOA Outstanding Inspector for medium sized air districts. The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, or CAPCOA, presents this award annually to an inspector from each category of air district-small, middle and large- in recognition of outstanding achievement. Throughout Mark's 25 years of service he has been integral to the development and maintenance of productive and cooperative relationships with sister agencies, as well as the regulated community. Mark's attitude of support, coupled with his breadth of knowledge makes him a key resource for helping to resolve complex compliance issues. He is an exemplary inspector and we are grateful that this award gives him well-deserved recognition.
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Recognizing Staff Members
| | Thank you Gary
The APCD Board extends its gratitude to Gary Willey for 25 years of dedicated service to the Air District.
Gary came to work for the APCD in 1990 as an Air Quality Engineer, and was promoted to Engineering Division Manager in 2007. Gary has increased his responsibilities while improving operational efficiencies with the recent merging of the Engineering and Compliance divisions. A bicycling enthusiast and competitive athlete, Gary consistently places in the top ten finishers in the San Luis Obispo triathlon. He enjoys traveling and exploring exotic locales with his wife and three daughters.
The APCD is fortunate to have such dedicated and talented employees and extends its gratitude and appreciation to Gary!
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| Providing Grant Incentive Funding for Local Businesses | |
Since 1997, the APCD has provided over $19.2 million in grant funding to local businesses and secured 2,625 tons of emission reductions. In the last year alone, APCD has allocated over $1,805,000 to replace old, dirty on-road trucks and buses, off-road diesel equipment, agricultural tractors and engines. All of which accounted for 54.5 tons of reductions in air emissions. The grant projects funded help infuse dollars into local communities and create work that enhances the local economy while assisting fleet operators to meet state emission reduction requirements.
Projects Completed in Fiscal Year 14/15:
- 11 agricultural tractors replaced
- 2 irrigation engines repowered
- 6 on-road trucks replaced
- 6 diesel waste haulers replaced with CNG trucks
- 5 old public school buses replaced with brand new models
- 8 wood fireplaces changed over to natural gas
APCD currently has over $100,000 available for on-road truck projects and $115,000 for commercial marine vessel repowers. We anticipate receiving additional funding for other projects in January 2016.
If you are interested in participating in our grant programs please contact us at 805-781-5912! On-Road Trucks: Andy Mutziger
Off-Road Equipment & Wood Stoves: Meghan Field
School Buses, Marine & Old Car Buy Back: Vince Kirkhuff
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| Food Miles: How far does your food travel? | |
"Food miles" refers to the distance food travels from producer to consumer, represented by the units of fuel required to transport the item. It reflects the carbon footprint inherent in bringing the nourishment we need into our homes; but whether or not this food was produced locally makes a huge difference!
Why eat local?
The movement to eat local produce and food products whenever possible, or locavorism, is gaining traction for a slew of reasons. Aside from counteracting food miles and reducing stress placed on our fuel supplies, it supports local farms and production companies, helps our county's economy and provides freshness without the need for preservatives. Will this require a lot of change or effort?
Not for us! With competitively priced farmers' markets taking place every single day in SLO County, and California being a hub of agriculture and food production, reducing your food miles and shrinking your carbon footprint should be as simple as putting down one item, and picking up the one next to it. A little label reading is all it takes.
How much of a difference will this really make in my carbon footprint?
Imagine you're taking your family for a picnic in Santa Rosa Park, San Luis Obispo. Take a look at the emissions associated with this hypothetical picnic basket, including large name brand food companies who often source their products out of California and even internationally. Then see our suggested alternatives: food sourced right here in SLO County, with almost negligible emissions of CO2 from food miles!
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Name Brand Food
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Pounds of C02
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Local Option
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Yellow Tail Australian Wine
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58,955/bag*
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Several of the local wines produced right here in our region
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Wisconsin Cheese
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27,093/truck
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Cal Poly Cheese
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Peach; San Joaquin Valley
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1,685/truck
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Peach; SLO Veg
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Foster Farms Chicken
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1,722/truck
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Cal Poly Meats Chicken
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Ghirardelli Chocolate Bar
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2,882/truck
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Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolate
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* To reduce costs, wine from Australia is typically transported in large bags.
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