Author Archives: Karin Bloesch

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The District is currently recruiting for the position of Assistant/Associate Air Quality Engineer

The District is currently recruiting for the position of Assistant/Associate Air Quality Engineer.  To view the job flyer, click here.  This recruitment will remain open until filled.

The first review of application packets is March 27, 2023, and the second review is April 6, 2023.  To complete an application and view the District’s Benefits Chart, salary resolution, and Employee Association MOU, click here.

head and shoulder photo of Gretchen Bennitt wearing dark colored suit with black background

Gretchen Bennitt Confirmed as new Executive Director/APCO

The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (District) Board of Directors has confirmed the appointment of Gretchen Bennitt to fill the position of Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO). Ms. Bennitt will begin her position as APCO on April 10th.

Ms. Bennitt brings over thirty years of experience in air quality, including working with federal, state, and local agencies, city and county partners, communities, and regulated industries. Ms. Bennitt is the longest-serving APCO in California and is the first woman appointed as APCO for the District. 

“I am honored to have been appointed by the Board of Directors to lead this agency during this challenging period of increasing exposure to wildfire smoke impacts, issues with the energy grid, and coming into compliance with the federal air quality standards,” Ms. Bennitt stated after the confirmation of her appointment. “I am looking forward to meeting and working with the residents and businesses in the region to develop and implement solutions to these air quality issues which impact human health and property.”

Read the full press release.

Students – Clean Air Art Contest Now Open!

Calling All Student Artists!

The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District is now accepting entries for the 2023 Clean Air Art Contest.  This annual contest is open to all Kindergarten through 12th grade students that live or attend school in Yolo County and the northeastern portion of Solano County including Vacaville, Dixon and Rio Vista.  1st through 3rd place winners will be chosen in each grade category (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) and will receive a Certificate of Achievement, recognition in a future press release, and an Amazon gift card. Winning artwork will be featured in District outreach materials.

Students invited to choose one of the following ‘Clean Air’ messages and draw what it means to them.

  • Walking and Biking to School is Good for the Air
  • Turn the Key, Be Idle Free
  • Spare the Air – Leave Your Car at Home
  • Clean Air is Important to Me Because… (Share your ‘why’ or how you help improve air quality in your community. Please avoid messages about water pollution, littering, or recycling.)

All entries must be submitted by 4 p.m. on March 31st and can be mailed or emailed in.  An entry form is required for all submissions, the forms are available in English or Spanish.  For full contest details, flyers, educational resources and more, visit www.ysaqmd.org/classrooms.

Cover page image and lInk to Annual Report document

2022 Annual Report Now Available

The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District’s 2022 Annual Report is now available.  Within the report is a comprehensive look at the District’s programs, finances and operations for 2022.  The report is available for review online and also may be downloaded.

We hope you enjoy this review of our work and thank you for your continued interest in the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District and air quality.

The Yolo-Solano AQMD’s  Annual Report provides a comprehensive look at the District’s programs, finances, and operations.

If you would like to request a printed copy of the YSAQMD’s 2022 Annual Report, please contact the District Office at (530) 757-3650.

2022 YSAQMD Annual Report

heap of wood chips against blue sky

Pilot Agricultural Chipping Program Survey

The District was awarded funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2021 Targeted Airshed Program to develop a pilot Agricultural Chipping Program to provide an alternative to open burning of orchard pullouts and prunings.

A short survey has been developed to gather information regarding interest for the current funding available, future chipping needs that will help District staff apply for additional funds, and develop a larger program. Agricultural businesses within the District that are interested in participating in the program are encouraged to complete the survey using the link below.

Survey participants will be added to an interest list for when the program opens.

Take the Survey

White semi-truck on the highway delivering freight

Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks Funding Opportunity – Opens August 9th

Looking for a way to fund a new Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight or Port Drayage Truck? 

Approximately $9 million in project funds is available for Program Announcement #PA2021-01 for the VW Mitigation Program – Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks category. The South Coast Air Quality Management District is managing the solicitation for this program. 

This solicitation will be available to eligible entities statewide on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted online beginning August 9, 2022, 1:00 PM.  The solicitation will close when all funds have been fully allocated.

Learn more about the program. 

YSAQMD Incentive and Grant Programs

In an effort to encourage clean-air improvements and projects by our partners and to help make the improvements affordable, the District funds a variety of incentive programs that directly benefit the public. In 2021, the District awarded a total of $1,760,689 through incentive programs. Read more about these incentive programs below. 

In spring 2022, the District held solicitations for several new and returning incentive programs. The Carl Moyer Program, FARMER Program and the Clean Air Funds program have closed the solicitation period.

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program is currently open and accepting applications for the voucher program. 

Find out more about these incentive programs below and sign up for email updates on individual programs. 

Carl Moyer Program 

FARMER Program

Clean Air Funds

Woodsmoke Reduction Program 

Sign Up Today

Gasoline Dispensing Facilities Veeder Root ISD Software Advisory

An Advisory has been issued for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (GDF) that have a Veeder Root monitoring console with In Station Diagnostic (ISD) software. GDFs with ISD software installed are permitted to dispense more than 600,000 gallons of gasoline annually. 

IF THIS ADVISORY APPLIES TO MY GDF, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
No later than March 31, 2023, complete Option #1 or Option #2. The District recommends that the chosen option is implemented when the facility already has a service contractor on-site for other repairs or regular testing. Failing to complete an option by the deadline may result in
enforcement.

District inspectors will verify current compliance at GDFs during regular inspections, but the
District would appreciate a courtesy notification when a facility corrects this problem. Please send a brief email to gdf@ysaqmd.org with the following information:
• Facility name and address
• Date of repair work
• Specify if software was updated (Option 1) or if ACCEPT HIGH ORVR is ENABLED (Option 2).

Read the entire advisory here.