California Air Resources Board

Each year Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617) requires CARB’s governing board (Board) to consider selecting communities for participation in the Community Air Protection Program (Program). Communities are selected for developing community air monitoring plans, emissions reduction programs, or both in order to improve air quality in their community. Over the first four years of the Program, the Board selected 17 communities where these focused actions are underway.

Fifth Year (2023) Community Recommendation and Identification Process 

The Fifth Annual Community Air Protection Program Recommendations Staff Report is now posted for viewing and public comment at the above link. 

Fourth Year (2022) Community Recommendation and Identification Process

In June 2020, CARB staff released a list of communities recognized as having strong community support for future selection.  CARB Staff posted the Fourth Annual Community Recommendations Staff Report for public comment on January 19, 2022. On February 10, 2022, The CARB Board will consider fourth-year communities.

Third Year (2021) Community Recommendation and Identification Process

In February 2021, CARB’s Governing Board selected three additional communities for the development of community emission reduction programs and air monitoring plans, bring the total number of communities selected for development of community specific plans to 15.

Second Year (2019) Community Recommendation and Identification Process

CARB staff’s recommendation for 2019 community selection was consistent with the requirements for community selection specified in statute and based on a number of factors including the Governing Board’s prior direction in 2018, nominations received in 2019, lessons learned from the initial ten communities, and funding levels provided by the legislature for Program implementation.

First Year (2018) Community Recommendation and Identification Process

In 2018, the CARB Board selected the first ten communities where these focused actions are to be developed. Each community has its own set of characteristics and air pollution sources and these ten communities will serve as models for focused community action in the future.

Community Self-Nominations Received 

Since February 2018 the Community Air Protection Program has been accepting community nominations for consideration for community action (air monitoring and/or emissions reduction program).  Nominations have been submitted through emails, mail, or community forums (CARB Board or other community meetings).  This list is dynamic and will be updated as additional community nominations are submitted.

Community Self-Nominations List

Consistently Nominated AB 617 Communities 

The Consistently Nominated AB 617 Communities list is built from air district and community-based organization (CBO) recommendations and community self-nominations since 2018, the first year of the Program. In July 2022, for the fifth year of the Program, CARB staff provided the air districts with a copy of the list for confirmation or adjustments. The Consistently Nominated AB 617 Communities list updates the priority communities for each air district and identifies support from community members or CBOs. The list is based on recommendations submitted to CARB; please note the air districts may also have received recommendations directly that are not captured in this list. 

Please submit any questions regarding the community selection process to communityair@arb.ca.gov (airecomunitario@arb.ca.gov for questions in Spanish).

View the Community Air Protection Program Consistently Nominated Communities map.