Valley Air District will perform scheduled system maintenance beginning at 6 PM on 6/29/2026. Some services may be temporarily unavailable for several hours.

Climate Change

The Valley Air District recognizes the potential impacts that changing climate conditions could have on local air quality and support greenhouse gas reduction measures that provide co-benefits in reducing criteria and toxic pollutants to assist in meeting air quality public health goals. Over the years, as part of its ongoing effort to reduce air pollution, the Valley Air District has implemented a broad range of strategies that provide climate and air quality benefits. Additionally, many federal and state initiatives also produce co-benefits that both lower emissions associated with greenhouse gases and reduce concentrations of criteria and toxic air pollutants. These aligned outcomes support the District’s mission to further improve the health and quality of life for all Valley residents through efficient, effective and entrepreneurial air quality management strategies.

Building on this foundation, the District has implemented an extensive portfolio of grant and incentive programs that directly accelerate the turnover of older, high-emitting equipment; support cleaner transportation and agricultural practices; and expand deployment of advanced technologies across the Valley. These investments generate measurable climate and air-quality benefits while promoting economic efficiencies for residents, businesses, and local governments.

As the District moves forward, it will continue to support reasonable, science-based measures that achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and deliver tangible benefits for cleaner air and a healthier future for all Valley communities. Through strong collaboration with state agencies, residents, businesses, public agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders, the Valley Air District has become a center of innovation for many transformative clean-air, low carbon emission strategies. These strategies include:

Next generation battery-electric, hydrogen, and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles deployed throughout the San Joaquin Valley, with an emphasis on serving low income and disadvantaged communities (e.g. Valley Air District’s Drive Clean in the San Joaquin Program)
Next generation zero and near-zero emissions heavy duty truck and bus technologies, including battery-electric, hydrogen, renewable natural gas across multiple applications (e.g. Valley Air District’s Truck Replacement Program)
Next generation low carbon sustainable agricultural and organic material management practices, such as livestock and landfill methane capture, conservation management practices, alternatives to open burning (soil incorporation/whole orchard recycling), irrigation pump electrification and energy efficiency measures and dairy electrification (e.g. Valley Air District’s Ag Burn Alternatives Program, Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions Program and Ag Pump Replacement Program)
Next generation freight and off-road equipment, supporting transitions to the cleanest tier agricultural equipment including yard trucks, forklifts and agricultural utility terrain vehicles (e.g. Valley Air District’s Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions Program)
Next generation of zero-emissions residential and commercial landscaping equipment (e.g. Valley Air District’s Clean Green Yard Machines Program)
Installation of new electric vehicle charging infrastructure to promote clean air alternative-fuel technologies and the use of low or zero emission vehicles (e.g. Valley Air District’s Charge Up Program)
Next generation locomotive technologies, by replacement of old high-polluting locomotives with the cleanest tier locomotives (e.g. Valley Air District’s Locomotive Program)
Next generation of low-emission residential fireplace alternatives, such as wood or pellet-burning devices by replacing them with natural gas and electric heat pump devices (e.g. Valley Air District’s Fireplace & Wood Stove Change-Out Program)
Engagement with Land Management agencies to promote enhanced forest and land management practices to mitigate the impact of increasingly severe and destructive wildfires
Sustainability community initiatives to improve walkability, access to transit and reduce vehicle miles traveled
Innovative low carbon clean air initiatives including car sharing programs, urban greening efforts, vegetative barriers, solar, and other renewably energy generation

Together, these efforts demonstrate the Valley Air District’s continued leadership in advancing practical, science driven solutions that address both climate and air quality challenges. By investing in clean technologies, fostering strong partnerships, and adapting to evolving environmental conditions, the District remains committed to further improving public health while ensuring a more sustainable future. The above strategies will continue to play a vital role in reducing air pollution, strengthen community resilience, and promoting cleaner, healthier air for future Valley residents.

Climate Change

District Climate Change Action Plan

Resources