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

These plans are known as the 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 AB 617 communities within the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction are currently in the implementation phase of the CERP and CAMP plans.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team created a new initiative called Critical Community Conversations for Purposeful Outreach (C3PO). For the next six months, on the fourth Wednesday of each month, the entire AB 617 team will visit each of the AB 617 communities to network and engage with members of the CSCs within their neighborhoods. Staff will participate in tours facilitated by CSC members to observe the DEI issues and concerns of the community.

Upcoming meetings for each of the CSCs include:

• East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, West Commerce (ELABHWC) – October 5, 4-6 p.m.
• Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) – October 19, 5-7 p.m.
• San Bernardino, Muscoy (SBM) – October 26, 6-8 p.m.
• Wilmington, Carson West Long Beach (WCWLB) – November 2, 2-4 p.m.
• Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) – November 16, 4-6 p.m.
• South Los Angeles (SLA) – December 7, 4-6 p.m.

South Coast AQMD will continue to work with CSC members and co-lead organizations throughout the implementation process and will hold quarterly meetings to update the community on the progress of the CERPs and CAMPs. For more information on the AB 617 program or meeting schedules, visit our AB 617 webpages.