Executive
Officer
Statement

WE FACED UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES THIS PAST YEAR FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO THE MASSIVE WILDFIRES AND MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ROLLBACKS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, THE AIR DISTRICT HAS CONTINUED OPERATIONS UNINTERRUPTED.

When the shelter-in-place order was issued in March, our office staff shifted to remote work, continuing all duties including air monitoring and forecasting, and issuing facility permits, while field staff continued to inspect industry and investigate air quality complaints. We continued our work in Bay Area communities hardest hit by air pollution through regular online community meetings to further AB 617 program implementation.

We all saw the benefits that remote work can bring through reduced traffic and improved air quality. Seeing an opportunity to retain these long-term benefits, the Air District launched the Flex Your Commute Program and the Remote Work Policy Clearinghouse to provide tools and encourage Bay Area employers to commit to remote work options for their staff beyond the pandemic.

The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police ignited a worldwide movement for racial justice and moved the Air District to reflect on our role in facilitating equity in our communities and within our agency.

In response, the Air District Board of Directors issued a proclamation in support of racial justice. And in August, Veronica Eady joined the Air District as Senior Deputy Executive Officer, who is focusing her efforts on environmental justice matters and providing leadership to our community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion program and policy work.

In mid-August, we all witnessed the impacts of climate change firsthand, when we were faced with the unprecedented wildfires. With 5 of the 6 largest fires in California history, smoke impacted air quality throughout the Bay Area and triggered 30 consecutive Spare the Air Alerts – the longest streak on record. Through our expanding Wildfire Air Quality Response Program, the Air District donated portable air filtration units to the Red Cross to be deployed to evacuation shelters and clean air centers during wildfires.

The Air District consistently voiced our opposition to the Trump administration’s numerous attacks on air quality and health protections and joined a joint lawsuit against the federal rollback of clean vehicle standards.

We hope that 2021 brings renewed support at the federal level for climate action and relief from the pandemic. Regardless of the challenges ahead, the Air District will continue to adapt to change and provide leadership for the future as we further protections of public health, air quality and the global climate.

Jack P. Broadbent Executive Officer/Air Pollution Control Officer