AQMD’s Historical Activity on Climate Change

For the last two decades, as part of its efforts to reduce local air pollution, AQMD has promoted a number of programs to combat climate change. For instance, AQMD has promoted energy conservation, low-carbon fuel technologies (natural gas vehicles; electric-hybrids, hydraulic-hybrids, and battery-electric vehi­cles), renewable energy, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction programs, and market incentive programs.

AQMD’s first formal action to fight greenhouse gases (GHG) occurred in 1991, with the issuance of its Policy on Global Warming and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, targeting a transition away from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as an industrial refrigerant and propellant in aerosol cans.  In the early 1990s, AQMD adopted several regulations regarding ozone depleting compounds which served as models for state and federal agencies.

AQMD has a long tradition of environmental stewardship practices and policies internally, as well. For years, AQMD has utilized a 10 hour-4 day work week.  This reduces employee VMT by 20%.  AQMD has also been a pioneer with its successful rideshare program.  Our fleet consisting mainly of clean fuel vehicles that are made available for staff to use during workdays.  AQMD works to be energy independent and to employ green practices.  We have a large solar panel array on the roof of the AQMD headquarters, as well as various waste reduction and recycling programs.  AQMD tracks its GHG emissions, has adopted a Green Policy, and has a Green Team comprised of top management and union representatives from all departments of the agency.

Meetings & Forums

Climate Change Committees & Working Groups

• Climate Change Committee
• Greenhouse Gases CEQA Significance Thresholds Working Group

Public Meetings

• Energy Policy Stakeholder Meeting - Orange County Business Council (August 25, 2011)
• Energy Policy Stakeholder Meeting - AQMD Headquarters, GB (August 11, 2011)
• Energy Policy Stakeholder Meeting - LA Chamber of Commerce (July 28, 2011)
• Energy Policy Stakeholder Meeting - AQMD Headquarters, CC2 (July 14, 2011)
• Draft Energy Policy Public Consultation Meeting #2 - AQMD Headquarters, GB (June 9, 2011)
• Draft Energy Policy Public Consultation Meeting #1 - AQMD Headquarters, Auditorium (April 27, 2011)
• Climate Change Forum - LA City Hall, Chambers Office (October 14, 2010)

Greenhouse gas reduction projects

• Greenhouse Gas Verification
• AQMD's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Local Government Funding - Tree Planting Partnership

RULES & PROTOCOLS

• Regulation XXVII - Climate Change
• Forest Sector Project Protocol (Oct. 2009) (PDF, 3MB)
• Urban Forestry Project Protocol (Mar. 2010) (PDF, 400k)
• Manure Management Project Protocol (Nov. 2009) (PDF, 560k)
• Boiler and Process Heater Efficiency Project Protocol (June 2010) (PDF, 154k)

POLICIES & Publications

• Green Policy (Board approved: Oct. 2, 2009) (PDF, 48k)
• GHG Inventories for the County of San Bernardino (May 2009) (PDF, 164k)
• Climate Change Policy (Board approved: Sept. 5, 2008) (PDF, 23k)
• White Paper on SoCal Climate Solutions Exchange
  (Board letter: June 6, 2008)
  

FACT SHEETS & BROCHURES

• Climate Change High School Flyer (Fact sheet: Mar. 2010) (PDF, 343k)
• Climate Change By the Numbers (Fact sheet: Feb. 2007) (PDF, 514k)
  

PRESS RELEASES

• AQMD Simplifies Requirements for Landfills, April 5, 2011
• Thousands of Southland Students to Attend High School Conference on Air Quality, May 21, 2010
• AQMD Approves First Reforestation Project for Station Fire Area of Angeles National Forest, Apr. 2, 2010
• AQMD Announces Grants for Tree Planting Projects, June 9, 2009