Feb. 16, 2023 — Valley Air Board

Documented by Josef Sibala

The Valley Air Board approved funding for a program that could provide residents in specific areas of South Central Fresno, Shafter and Stockton a free residential air filtration unit.

What happened: At its Feb. 16 meeting, the Valley Air Board approved the project plan and reallocated funding for a new Residential Air Filtration Program for AB 617 communities in South Central Fresno, Shafter, And Stockton.

The program will provide a new residential air filtration system and one replacement filter for residents who apply and live in the designated communities.

Funding of $1 million for the South Central Fresno program was reallocated from the Locomotive Replacement Measure, while $750,000 for the Shafter program was reallocated from its Locomotive Replacement Measure and $250,000 reallocated from the School Air Filtration program.

During discussion on the item, Central Valley Air Quality Coalition Policy Coordinator Cynthia Pinto Cabrera asked that the filters be distributed equitably and Central California Environmental Justice Network Director Nayamin Martinez asked that the program be expanded to include more areas within Tulare, Kings, and Fresno counties.

Up next: The next Valley Air Board meeting is scheduled on March 16 at 9 a.m.

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The Fresno Documenters are a group of local residents who are trained and paid to attend and take notes at local public meetings where officials decide how to spend public money and make important decisions...