Opinion: New Appointee to California Air Resources Board

I have some great news to share this month — I have recently been appointed to the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This appointment brings representation for our city back to this statewide agency that writes and enforces regulations to reduce air pollution, fight climate change, and support the transition to clean energy — often leading the way for the rest of the country. It’s a board whose Southern California headquarters we welcomed to Riverside in 2021, bringing with it a research and vehicle emissions testing facility that has helped us recruit green tech companies to the city like Ohmio, Voltu, Hyundai Rotem, and GreenPower.

So what does CARB even do? CARB is the state agency responsible for protecting public health, welfare, and the environment through effective air pollution control for the entire state. In recent years, this governing body has drafted and approved regulations that advance clean fleets, set carbon fuel standards, and reduce the smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from conventional heavy-duty engines.

CARB sets the big-picture policies and standards for clean air in the state, with particular attention to mobile sources of air pollution like passenger vehicles and diesel trucks. The local air quality districts (AQMDs) are then tasked with implementing and enforcing those air quality rules by issuing permits, conducting inspections, and developing regional plans with a greater focus on stationary sources like factories and warehouses. In addition to my appointment on CARB, I also serve on the board for our local AQMD, South Coast Air Quality Management District, after being voted to the board by other elected officials in Riverside County to represent our region.

As an example of how the two entities work together: CARB has mandated that drayage and other heavy-duty trucks transition to zero-emission models statewide. South Coast Air Quality Management District then supports and enforces this in its region by inspecting fleets, offering incentives, and possibly adding local rules — like charging infrastructure support or usage restrictions.

Why does it matter, and what is at stake? The American Lung Association just released its State of the Air report for 2025, and it will come as no surprise to most of you that Riverside and San Bernardino counties were ranked as the most ozone-polluted counties to live in in California. We’ve made great strides in this fight since the 1970s, but we still have work to do.

Riverside County experiences poor air quality for reasons both in and out of our control. Due to our topography within the South Coast Air Basin, wind will transport pollutants from Los Angeles to our region, and those pollutants then get trapped here. Our region also experiences high vehicle traffic and industrial activities, including freight and warehouse operations that negatively impact our air quality. According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), when combined, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach make up the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere, handling over 40% of all inbound containers for the entire United States. For those goods to make their way to their destinations, 90% of them must pass through the Inland Empire by rail or freeway — saddling us with the air pollution that comes with being at the center of delivering goods to the rest of the country.

We’re no longer just the place goods pass through. We’re a region that will lead in sustainability, green tech innovation, and environmental health. This appointment is more than a personal milestone — it’s an opportunity to protect our community’s health, advance our local economy, and help shape a cleaner, more equitable California.