SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to plan for poor air quality conditions caused by future wildfire smoke. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles known as particulate matter. These particles harm the lungs and heart, and can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, and in severe instances, premature mortality. People with heart or lung disease, seniors, kids, and pregnant women are especially sensitive to smoke.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is not accepting any walk-in visitors at its Santa Barbara and Santa Maria offices. APCD staff continue to work to serve the public’s needs and carry out our mission to protect the public from air pollution, but are taking extra steps to limit person-to-person interaction and ensure social distancing.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is proud to announce that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today took action to designate Santa Barbara County as attainment with the state ozone standard – a first-time achievement for Santa Barbara County, which is now one of only approximately 14 counties in the state to reach this milestone.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Today, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) announced that the annual voluntary Woodsmoke Reduction Program that helps cover the costs of replacing residential wood-burning fireplaces or woodstoves with cleaner alternatives will launch on December 12. The District will reimburse participating retailers (listed below) up to $5,000 for replacement projects for customers who live in state-designated low-income communities, and up to $1,000 for projects for other customers.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and Santa Barbara County Water Agency (SBCWA) are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2019-2020 Care For Our Earth grants, which are due by Friday, November 8, 2019.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and other local partners encourage Santa Barbara County residents to participate in California Clean Air Day.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to plan for poor air quality conditions caused by future wildfire smoke. The smoke and ash from wildfires is made up of very small particles known as particulate matter, or PM. These particles can harm respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with medical conditions are especially sensitive.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District announced today that the application period for 2019 Clean Air Grant funding is now open. Approximately $2.5 million is available for this year’s grants.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) is recruiting to fill one position on the District Hearing Board. The Hearing Board is a five-member quasi-judicial body that makes determinations on permit appeals and variances from local District rules and regulations, and considers requests for permit revocations and abatement orders. The current opening is for the medical profession (with specialized skills, training, or interests in the fields of environmental medicine, community medicine, or occupational/toxicological medicine).

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The partners in an initiative to reduce air pollution and protect endangered whales announced the launch of the 2019 incentive program, which will run through November 15, 2019, with voluntary vessel speed reduction (VSR) zones in the Santa Barbara Channel and San Francisco Bay regions.