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City of Pleasanton—Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Air Quality Draft EIR 3.2-14 FirstCarbon Solutions https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/2148/21480016/EIR/3 - Draft EIR/21480016 Sec03-02 Air Quality.docx within the mandated timeframe may result in sanctions being applied to transportation funding and stationary air pollution sources in the air basin. In addition, the EPA issues federal emissions standards for new motor vehicles and nonroad engines, national emissions standards for categories of new industrial equipment (e.g., power plants, industrial boilers, cement manufacturing, secondary lead smelting), and technical and policy guidance for SIPs. For instance, vehicle emissions standards issued by the EPA reduce tailpipe and evaporative emissions from passenger cars, light-duty trucks, medium-duty passenger vehicles, and some heavy-duty vehicles. In turn, these standards reduce atmospheric levels of ozone, fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, and toxic pollution.21 State Regulations The ARB is the Statewide governing body which focuses on California’s unique air quality challenges by setting the State’s own, stricter, air pollutant emissions standards for a range of Statewide pollution sources including vehicles, fuels, on- and off-road equipment, and consumer products. The ARB implements the California Clean Air Act (CCAA) which was adopted in 1988 and developed to address air quality concerns not adequately addressed by the federal CAA. The CCAA requires that all air districts in the State endeavor to achieve and maintain the California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) by the earliest practicable date. The CCAA specifies that air districts should focus particular attention on reducing the emissions from transportation and area-wide emission sources and provides air districts with authority to regulate indirect sources. The CAAQS set standards for 10 air pollutants: the six federal pollutants listed above as well as visibility-reducing particulates, hydrogen sulfide, sulfates, and vinyl chloride. The ARB is responsible for Statewide pollution sources and produces a major part of the SIP, including addressing transport of pollutants. Local air districts are still relied upon to provide additional strategies for sources under their jurisdiction. The ARB combines this data and submits the completed SIP to the EPA. Other ARB duties include monitoring air quality (in conjunction with air monitoring networks maintained by air pollution control and air quality management districts) and updating area designations and maps. The ARB is responsible for rulemaking to adopt and amend specific regulations to reduce emissions from mobile sources such as cars, trucks, buses, on- and off-road equipment, fuels, harbor craft, locomotives, ocean-going vessels at berth, and motorcycles, as well as consumer products and select stationary sources including gas stations.22 These wide-ranging air quality regulations address all major sources of smog-forming air pollution (and other forms of air pollution). As a result, cars today are 99 percent cleaner than in the 1970s, resulting in less pollution overall, shorter hospital stays, and fewer days missed from school and work due to respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases.23 21 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2024. May. Website: https://www.epa.gov/regulatory-information- topic/regulatory-and-guidance-information-topic-air. Accessed February 25, 2025. 22 California Air Resources Board (ARB). Rulemaking Activity. Website: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/rulemaking-activity. Accessed February 25, 2025. 23 California Air Resources Board (ARB). 2024. June. Website: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/about. Accessed February 25, 2025.