The Planning and Research Division
provides several services related to the District's goal to attain and
maintain ambient air quality standards, and thereby protect public health:
- Prepare source inventories -- Compile quantitative
estimates of air pollutant emissions from all the sources in the Bay
Area. Inventories are used to identify sources subject to further control,
and as input data for computer models to simulate dispersion of pollutants
in the atmosphere.
- Analyze air quality problems -- Review and analyze
air quality measurements and weather conditions; apply statistical analysis
and computer models to predict future pollutant levels at local and
regional scales. Compare with ambient air quality standards.
- Prepare air quality plans -- Prepare and submit regional
plans, showing how the region will comply with ambient air quality standards
in future years. Include technical analysis, growth projections, and
attainment strategy with new control measures.
- Develop new rules -- Coordinate District work to
adopt new rules and improve existing rules for control of air pollution.
Identify promising measures and complete the technical and administrative
steps needed to bring new regulatory language for District Board approval.
- Reduce health risks from air toxics -- Implement
the Community Air Risk
Evaluation (CARE) program to evaluate and reduce health risk from
air toxics in the nine Bay Area counties.
- Protect our climate: Integrate
climate protection
measures into the District's core activities and business practices.
Collaborate and create partnerships with, and offer incentives to, local
and regional governments, the business community, and non-profit groups
throughout the Bay Area. Conduct education and outreach to all Bay Area
entities about actions we can all take to reduce emissions of greenhouse
gases that contribute to global warming and climate change.
- Promote "Smart Growth" -- Review air quality impacts
of general plans and development projects. Identify potential problems
and provide comments re significant impacts. Support alternatives that
will be most beneficial -- or least harmful -- to air quality. Support
land use and transportation decisions that reduce motor vehicle dependence.
|
