The AB 617 statute requires CARB to develop a statewide strategy to reduce emissions of health-harming air pollutants in communities affected by a high cumulative exposure to these pollutants. It also requires CARB and air districts to develop and implement additional emissions reporting, monitoring, and plans to reduce exposures and emissions in communities that are the most impacted by poor air quality. The law requires CARB to work with community members, environmental justice organizations, and air districts, reflecting the Legislative preference for impacted communities and their representatives to have a voice in CARB and air districts' implementation of AB 617.

The objective of this project is to help answer the following overarching questions:

1) How the program has advanced equity;

2) What strengths of the program should be replicated;

3) How shortcomings should be addressed, and

4) How evaluation can be incorporated as a central feature in the CAPP to continuously improve the Program.

Research team

Dr. Rachel Morello-Frosch PhD | UC Berkeley

Primary Investigator

Dr. Manuel Pastor PhD| USC

CO-PI

Dr. James Sadd PhD | Occidental College

CO-PI

Dr. J Mijin Cha JD PhD | UC Santa Cruz

CO-PI

Dr. Madison Swayne PhD| San Diego State

CO-PI