California air-quality regulators today are expected to adopt new fees for big polluters and rules to encourage large buildings to switch equipment from gas to zero-emission electric models.

Fifteen clean-air advocacy groups are rallying in front of the Southern California Air Quality Management Board in Diamond Bar today, urging passage of the new rules.

Kimberly Orbe, senior conservation program manager for the Sierra Club's Angeles chapter, said the transition would cover gas-fired water heaters, boilers and process heaters.

"Fossil fuel appliances are responsible for 10% of the emissions from stationary sources in our region," she said, "so that's really huge."

Opponents of the change include SoCalGas and industry groups representing dry cleaners and restauranteurs.

When burned, natural gas emits harmful smog-forming air pollution and greenhouse gases that fuel climate change. The So Cal Air Quality Management District's new pollution fee program would require large industrial polluters to pay to support regional clean-air efforts. The Sierra Club estimates this could raise about $25 million a year.

According to the American Lung Association, the Los Angeles/Long Beach area has the most high-ozone days of any metropolitan area in the country. Orbe said that's why advocacy groups have been pressing for stronger air-quality standards for years.

"Our region is burdened by an overwhelming amount of pollution - from oil drilling, from refineries, from the ports, from the warehouses, freeways," she said. "So, we want to make sure that we're passing strong rules to ensure that we continue to clean up our air, year after year."

The board is also expected to set a hearing date to consider new rules requiring zero-emissions technologies in the rail yards to combat diesel pollution from trains.

Utah's Great Salt Lake is shrinking, exposing more of its playa and lifting more potentially harmful dust particles into the air.

A new study seeks to understand the air quality and health impacts of the dust from the drying lake.

Kerry Kelly, associate professor of chemical engineering at Utah State University and the study's co-author, whose team took samples from the Great Salt Lake to assess what's known as the "oxidative potential" of dust particles, explained it gives researchers an indication of how materials within the dust could react with the lining of a person's lungs.

"That is important because more reactive materials and components can lead to inflammation," Kelly pointed out. "Inflammation is a very important process for all kinds of adverse health effects associated with particulate matter."

Kelly noted particulate pollution has been linked to health conditions and complications, from asthma to heart attack, stroke and even premature death. When the Great Salt Lake dust samples were compared to other regional playas, they were found to be more reactive, meaning they have a higher potential for serious health effects. Kelly added the study is the first of its kind and more research is needed to further understand the effects on air quality and public health.

Kelly asserted climate change is not the key driver to the shrinking of the Great Salt Lake. Instead, she explained, water diversions have led to the lake reaching historically low levels.

"We are taking the water, it's not making it to the lake," Kelly observed. "All of us -- residential, and commercial consumers -- we need to do our part but agriculture is about two-thirds of the story, so we're definitely going to have to work on agriculture."

Kelly stressed increasing dust storms are a concern in the Salt Lake Valley, located west of Utah's densely populated Wasatch Front. The research showed four to five dust storms occur in northern Utah every year, which transport metal-contaminated dust. For such situations, Kelly recommended staying inside and using a mask if you must leave the house.

With school in full swing, many Arizona students will take the bus to school.

Earlier this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded $900 million of Clean School Bus Program funding to more than 500 districts across the country, some of which came to Arizona.

Currently, Arizona has secured 155 electric school buses, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative.

Hazel Chandler, Arizona State field organizer with Moms Clean Air Force, said smaller school districts in the state received enough funding to replace half their fleets.

She added that school districts are now looking to alternative avenues to continue transitioning.

"Some of them are using utility money, a lot of them are using bond money," said Chandler. "So they might have gotten a couple, or maybe three of four initially - but then they love them so much, and the families and kids love them so much they just continue to approve them."

Chandler said electric school buses, or ESB's, are game changers for students with asthma as they eliminate tailpipe emissions.

She added that the buses are also quieter, meaning a less chaotic ride for bus drivers and students. Chandler said while the federal government has done its part, more can be done.

She contended states could invest more to ensure ESB's are a top priority.

Brittany Barrett - deputy director with World Resources Institute overseeing their ESB Initiative - said older, polluting buses have disproportionately operated in school districts with more people of color, low-income households, and in rural areas.

But data from the institute show that since 2022, most ESB commitments have been allocated to serve those at higher risk of poorer air quality.

Barrett said limited funding, rebates, and grants are still available - and encourages districts to act.

"There are different ways to deploy buses within their range capacity," said Barrett, "that can ensure that the benefits of this transition happen first to those communities who need it the most."

Kevin Matthews is the head of electrification with First Student, which has committed to electrify 30,000 electric school buses by 2035 - resulting in a reduction of over 1.6 million pounds of greenhouse gases.

Matthews said while ESBs may have a costlier initial price tag, the cost savings are undeniable.

"This is primarily driven by lower cost of fuel," said Matthews. "Lower liquid changes like motor oils, engine cooling, those types of issues. Less wear and tear on brakes. So this is a significant change in that area."




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The advocacy group CleanAIRE NC is offering a virtual training session Thursday to help North Carolinians tackle air quality issues in their communities.

With air pollution affecting health statewide, the session will equip participants with strategies to understand air quality and advocate for change.

Brittany Griffin, advocacy manager for CleanAIRE NC, said many residents may not know how to address the issues or do not realize how much air pollution affects their daily lives.

"The training is important just to raise awareness and get them more comfortable about being an advocate for cleaner air," Griffin explained. "It's also important to know that this is a right that is protected under the Clean Air Act."

According to the American Lung Association, more than 40% of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, including North Carolina. Griffin noted the training is open to everyone, regardless of their experience in environmental advocacy.

Griffin highlighted the importance of the session during election season when policymakers are paying closer attention to environmental issues. Participants will learn how to engage with elected officials and receive a manual to guide their advocacy efforts after the training.

"The manual will actually dive into deeper technical strategies for engaging with policymakers," Griffin pointed out. "What we'll cover during the training is really just how to do thorough research, prepare to understand policymakers' positions and their key issues."

The session will also emphasize building partnerships with environmental groups, community leaders and local businesses.


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