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Protecting Those We Serve
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District is the agency responsible for protecting human health and property from the harmful effects of air pollution. The District was established in 1971 by a joint powers agreement between the Yolo and Solano County boards of supervisors. The District is governed by an air quality management board composed of representatives from both the county boards of supervisors and mayors/city council members from the cities within the District. The District has jurisdiction over all of Yolo County and the northeast portion of Solano County, from Vacaville on the west, to Rio Vista on the south. The District includes approximately 1,500 square miles and a population of more than 331,600 people.* (*ARB 2011-12 Estimates)
How We Control Pollution
Controlling sources of air pollution includes a wide range of activities. As part of our clean air strategy, we do the following:
- monitor the District's air quality through a network of monitoring stations that record pollutant levels 24 hours a day;
- prepare plans to identify how much pollution is in our air, where it comes from and ways to control it effectively;
- adopt rules to reduce emissions from specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents;
- evaluate plans for any new project that involves installing, altering or operating equipment that either causes air pollution or is used to control it;
- issue permits and inspect businesses to ensure compliance once evaluations are complete; review and implement new technologies to help clean the air;
- respond to public complaints and inquiries; provide information to the public regarding current air quality conditions and health implications;
- help individuals and businesses understand and comply with federal, state, and local air pollution laws;
- and educate the public on their role in cleaning up the air.
How Are We Funded
Most of the District's revenue comes from fees paid by businesses and industries that emit air pollution. In addition, there is a clean air surcharge on all vehicle registration fees paid in Yolo County and the northeast portion of Solano County. Other funding sources include state grants.
How You Can Help
Winning the battle against unhealthy air will take more than just placing tighter controls on smokestacks and tailpipes. Pollution also comes from products and services we use every day. We can help reduce pollution by making some simple changes in the way we live. One of the best ways to reduce air pollution is to prevent it from being generated in the first place. You can help do this by reducing your energy consumption, reducing the amount of products you use, and providing regular maintenance for your consumer goods to extend their life span. This not only cuts down on the formation of air pollution, it helps preserve resources.
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