With support from California’s Cap-and-Invest Program, the state is funding air protection efforts in 19 of its most polluted communities. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that more than four million Californians are seeing air quality improvements due to the Community Air Protection Program. A new report by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) highlights community-led solutions that are cutting emissions and enforcing clean air policies.
Since 2017, over $600 million has been allocated to more than 9,000 projects through the Cap-and-Invest program. “We’re cutting harmful pollution across California with a special focus on communities that have some of the dirtiest air in our state,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom. He emphasized the importance of extending Cap-and-Invest this year.
The Community Air Protection Program was established in 2017 under Assembly Bill 617 and is supported by Cap-and-Invest revenue. It focuses on reducing air pollution and protecting public health in impacted areas. CARB and local air districts have partnered to address local pollution issues in each of the 19 communities involved.
Projects funded by Cap-and-Invest include replacing old lawnmowers with electric ones, paving school parking lots, urban greening projects, installing air filtration systems in schools, and funding an electric tugboat at the Port of San Diego. These initiatives have resulted in significant reductions in nitrogen oxides, diesel particulate matter, and greenhouse gas emissions.
CARB’s Blueprint 2.0 expands the program to 64 communities experiencing high pollution burdens. The expansion focuses on community-based capacity building, enforcement strategies, and increased funding flexibility for local needs.
The Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI) was launched as a $27 million pilot project using vehicles to collect block-by-block pollution data to support public health actions.
