SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved the South Sacramento Florin Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP), marking a major milestone in the Sac Metro Air District’s ongoing partnership with the community to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve public health.

The CERP was developed through the Air District’s Community Air Protection Program, established by Assembly Bill 617 (C. Garcia, 2017), which focuses additional air quality resources and strategies in communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. South Sacramento-Florin was selected by CARB for development of a CERP in 2024. 

Over the past two years, the Air District has worked closely with the South Sacramento-Florin Community Steering Committee to identify local air quality concerns, establish priorities and develop strategies to reduce emissions and exposure. The resulting CERP reflects community input and establishes a roadmap for actions addressing sources of air pollution affecting neighborhoods throughout South Sacramento-Florin. 

“CARB’s approval demonstrates what is possible when state and local partners come together with a shared commitment to cleaner air,” said Eric Guerra, CARB Board member, Sac Metro Air District director and City of Sacramento mayor pro tem. “This plan gives us a clear framework for moving from identifying problems to delivering solutions. We have a responsibility to make sure the commitments in this plan are backed by sustained resources, strong partnerships and clear results.” 

CARB’s approval moves the CERP from planning into implementation, allowing the Air District, community members and partner agencies to advance the strategies identified through the community planning process.

“This approval marks a pivotal moment in our ability to serve the South Sacramento-Florin community,” said Sarah Aquino, Sac Metro Air District Board chair and Folsom City Councilmember. “The CERP gives us a community-driven roadmap for addressing local air quality concerns. We now have an opportunity to deliver tangible air quality improvements that respond directly to the priorities residents have identified. With CARB’s approval and continued state funding, our focus now turns to implementation and working together to translate community priorities into measurable actions that reduce emissions, improve air quality and protect public health.” 

Implementation will require continued coordination among the Air District, CARB, local and regional agencies, community organizations, businesses and residents. Continued state funding also will be necessary to achieve all elements of the plan.  

“I’m proud to see a plan shaped by the voices of South Sacramento-Florin residents move forward,” said Patrick Kennedy, Sac Metro Air District Director and County of Sacramento supervisor. “People in this community have been telling us for years what they need to breathe cleaner air and live in healthier neighborhoods. This is an opportunity to listen, invest and act—and to make sure the benefits of this work are felt in the neighborhoods that have carried the greatest burden of pollution.” 

CERP strategies are categorized in four areas: urban planning and mobile sources, residential sources, commercial sources, and outreach. Implementation will be phased and run through 2031. More information at AirQuality.org/CAP.