California Air Resources Board

A nonprofit association of the air pollution control officers from all 35 air quality agencies throughout California. CAPCOA was formed in 1975 to promote clean air and to provide a forum for sharing of knowledge, experience and information among the air quality regulatory agencies around the state. CAPCOA is an organization of air quality professionals -- leaders in their field -- who promote unity and efficiency and strive to encourage consistency in methods and practices of air pollution control. For more information, visit our CAPCOA's website.

The state's lead air quality agency consisting of an 11-member board appointed by the Governor, and just over thousand employees. ARB is responsible for attainment and maintenance of the state and federal air quality standards, California climate change programs, and is fully responsible for motor vehicle pollution control. It oversees county and regional air pollution management programs.

A legal limit that specifies the maximum level and time of exposure in the outdoor air for a given air pollutant and which is protective of human health and public welfare. CAAQSs are recommended by the OEHHA and adopted into regulation by the ARB. CAAQSs are the standards which must be met per the requirements of the California Clean Air Act (CCAA).

A California law passed in 1988 which provides the basis for air quality planning and regulation independent of federal regulations. A major element of the Act is the requirement that local air districts in violation of the CAAQS must prepare attainment plans that identify air quality problems, causes, trends and actions to be taken to attain and maintain California's air quality standards by the earliest practicable date.

A state government agency established in 1991 for unifying environmental activities related to public health protection in the State of California. There are five boards, departments and offices under the organization of Cal/EPA including the California Air Resources Board (ARB), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and its nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB), Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). The Cal/EPA boards, departments and offices are directly responsible for implementing California environmental laws, or play a cooperative role with other regulatory agencies at regional, local, state and federal levels. For a full list of Cal/EPA organizations, see Cal/EPA's home page.

A California law that sets forth a process for public agencies to make informed decisions on discretionary project approvals. The process aids decision-makers to determine whether any environmental impacts are associated with a proposed project. It requires environmental impacts associated with a proposed project to be eliminated or reduced and that air quality mitigation measures are implemented.

An initiative to add hydrogen fueling infrastructure in California to meet the demands of hydrogen vehicles deployed in the state.P For more information, visit the California Hydrogen Highway Network website.