On August 24th, South Coast AQMD held an Assembly Bill (AB) 617 All-Community Steering Committee (CSC) meeting, welcoming 170 attendees, including 91 community members and more than 40 government agency representatives. This event marked a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to improve air quality and public health in environmental justice communities across the region.

Representatives from all six AB 617 CSC communities attended the meeting, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices. The event featured several key sessions that engaged and empowered participants:

• Keynote Speaker Andrea Vidaurre: a Goldman Award recipient, delivered an inspiring speech on the importance of environmental justice and community involvement in air quality initiatives.

• CSC Best Practices Panel: featured six representatives, one from each CSC community and provided valuable insights into effective strategies for improving air quality at the local level.

• CARB Annual Progress Report presentation: offered an overview of the achievements and challenges faced over the past year, highlighting the program’s commitment to transparency and continued progress.

• Air Resources Fair: showcased various South Coast AQMD, community-based organizations, CSC working teams, and local and state agencies tools and resources available to help communities tackle air pollution issues.

The event also featured interactive discussions and networking opportunities, allowing community members, experts, and stakeholders to engage, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections.

South Coast AQMD remains committed to the goals of AB 617, and this meeting was a critical step in driving meaningful change in environmental justice communities.

More on the AB 617 Program:

The AB 617 Program continues to work toward the improvement of air quality and public health in environmental justice communities. This community-based program brings together residents, local businesses, health and environmental organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to form CSCs to develop and implement plans to help reduce air pollution.

These plans are known as Community Emission Reduction Plans (CERPs) and Community Air Monitoring Plans (CAMPs). The CERPs focus on community-identified air quality priorities and the CAMPs provide strategies for air quality monitoring that are unique to that community. All six communities within the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction are currently in the implementation phase of the CERP and CAMP plans.

South Coast AQMD will continue to work with CSC members and co-lead organizations throughout the CERP implementation process and will hold quarterly meetings to update the community on the progress of the CERPs and CAMPs.

Upcoming quarterly meetings for each CSC:

• Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach (WCWLB) – Thurs., Oct. 3, 2-4 p.m.
• East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, West Commerce (ELABHWC) – Thurs., Oct. 17, 4-6 p.m.
• Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) – Thurs., Nov. 7, 4-6 p.m.
• San Bernardino, Muscoy (SBM) – Thurs., Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m.

For more information on AB 617 and upcoming events, visit www.aqmd.gov/ab617.