March 19, 2026 — APCD Board Meeting of March 19, 2026

Meeting Summary

Present: Lee, Caps, Hartman, Nelson, Silva, Clark, Parodi, Julian, Mosby, Rouse

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

Director's Report

Staff highlighted Director Silva’s appointment to the California Air Resources Board.
Updates covered new landfill methane regulations and the Blue Whales, Blue Skies program.
Reports detailed successful purifier distributions in Guadalupe and Old Town Goleta.
Future clean air room programs are planned for the Cuyama community.

Climate Heat Impact Response Program

Staff outlined the impact of extreme heat on grid reliance and generator needs.
Discussion focused on replacing diesel generators with alternative technologies like hydrogen fuel cells.
The board authorized participation in the program and allocated $400,000 from the Clean Air Fund.
Authority was delegated to the Air Pollution Control Officer for grant agreements.

Passed 4–0 · unanimous

Oil and Gas Operations Status

Staff detailed onshore and offshore regulations along with current facility statuses.
Updates covered plugging activities and the restart of Sable facilities.
Discussion addressed jurisdictional limits and potential drone usage for monitoring.
The board received and filed the status update presentation.

Closed Session

The board convened to conference with labor negotiators under Government Code section 54957.6.
Representatives from employee unions and management staff attended the meeting.
No reportable action occurred during the closed session.

Full summary

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Board of Directors Meeting Summary

Date: March 19, 2026

Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Chair Lavagnino. A roll call was conducted to establish a quorum. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 1: Closed Session

The board convened in closed session for a conference with labor negotiators under Government Code section 54957.6. The conference included the district’s designated representative, Erin Arlen Janay, and involved the Engineer and Technicians Association, Service Employee International Union Local 620, Unrepresented Employees, Management, and Confidential staff. The board took no reportable action during the session.

Item 2: Approval of Minutes

The board considered the approval of minutes for the January 15, 2026 meeting. A motion was made to approve the minutes and was seconded. A roll call was conducted. The motion passed.

Passed 8–0 · abstained: Clark, Rouse, Aguilera-Hernandez

Item 3: Approval of Administrative Items

The board considered the approval of administrative agenda items. No board members or public members requested to pull any items. Chair Lavagnino moved to approve the administrative agenda, and the motion was seconded. A roll call was conducted.

Passed 5–0 · unanimous

Item 4: Director's Report

Staff presented the Director's Report. Highlights included:
Recognition of Director Silva’s appointment to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Updates on CARB’s landfill methane gas regulation, including new satellite remote detection of emission plumes and requirements effective January 2027.
Progress on the Blue Whales, Blue Skies program under Assembly Bill 14, including a new partnership with the California Ocean Protection Council and an upcoming kickoff event on Earth Day.
Results of the Clean Air Room Purifier Program, noting successful distributions in Guadalupe and Old Town Goleta, with future focus on Cuyama.
Board members discussed the outreach strategies used for the purifier programs, including the effectiveness of partnerships with the Housing Authority and food banks. Staff noted that future clean air room programs are planned for Cuyama.

Item 5: Public Comment

Public comment was opened for items not on the agenda. One speaker appeared to discuss the Infinity Carbon Scrubber System manufactured by Amfinity Group. The speaker presented data regarding air quality and odor control from cannabis greenhouse operations and offered to share comprehensive data with the district and state agencies regarding PCO technology and safety.

Item 6: Discussion Item H1 – Climate Heat Impact Response Program (CHRP)

Staff presented a report on the Climate Heat Impact Response Program, detailing the impact of extreme heat events on grid reliance and the need for backup generators. The presentation covered CARB funding allocations, the replacement of diesel generators, and alternative technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and linear generators. Board members asked questions regarding generator proximity to housing, replacement costs, permit exemptions for natural gas or smaller engines, and the potential for recognizing compliant companies.
A motion was made to approve the recommendations, which included receiving and filing the presentation, authorizing participation in the CHRP program, delegating authority to the Air Pollution Control Officer for grant agreements, and allocating $400,000 from the Clean Air Fund for the program. The motion was seconded by Director Lee. A roll call was conducted. The motion passed unanimously.