Protection of Health and the Environment

In California, local air pollution control districts, including NoSoCo Air serve as the "boots on the ground" for protecting the air we breathe. Their authority and the rules they create are built on a partnership between local, state, and federal law.  The primary goal of these rules is to ensure that every community meets health-based air quality standards.  Local districts focus on "stationary sources"—everything from  power plants to neighborhood auto body shops and dry cleaners.

Authority to Make Rules

The power to regulate air quality is granted through a clear legal hierarchy:

California State Law: The California Legislature passed laws, specifically in the Health and Safety Code, that authorize the formation of these districts and grant them the power to adopt and enforce regulations.

The Federal Clean Air Act: This federal law requires the U.S. EPA to set national air quality standards. The state then delegates the responsibility of meeting these standards for stationary sources to the local districts.

Permitting Power: Districts have the specific legal authority to require "authority to construct permits: and "permits to operate." These permits require pre-construction auhorization and ensure that any equipment causing pollution is designed and operated in a way that minimizes its environmental impact.

Local Governance:  NoSoCo Air is governed by a board of locally elected officials comprised of county supervisors and city council members, ensuring that the rules reflect the needs and health of the local community.

Rule References

In California, each Air District, including NoSoCo Air maintain their own, unique rule set shaped by local air quality and resources.

• Northen Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District rule set (hosted by CARB).
• De minimis Policy (a.ka. "non-permitting thresholds").
• State Air Quality Rules (California Health and Safety Code, Division 26).
• State Implementation Plan (District rules in the State Implementation Plan).
• NoSoCo Air is federally approved by EPA to implement the Federal Title V and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air quality programs.
• Mobile sources (on-road and off-road vehicles), portable equipment, and GHGs are under the purview of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).