Valley Air District releases 2025 Annual Report to the Community

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has just released a digital highlights summary of its 2025 Annual Report. You can access the report in English here and in Spanish here.

Photo Credit: SJVAPCD 2025 Annual Report

The report summarizes air quality progress, pollution levels, control efforts, and much more that has resulted in Valley air quality to be cleanest on record.

Said Samir Sheikh, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer: "Based on air monitoring data collected throughout the region, 2025 was the cleanest year on record across numerous air quality metrics. For the first time, every federal reference monitoring site recorded levels below the federal 24-hour PM2.5 standard. At the same time, we continued to make meaningful progress in reducing ozone concentrations with the lowest number of exceedances of ozone standards on record. Overall, the Valley continued to have more “Good” air quality days, and a record low number of only five “Unhealthy” days across all Valley counties, down from over 100 days just ten years ago, and hundreds of days twenty years ago. These improvements bring the Valley closer than ever to attaining the remaining federal health-based standards, and represents real improvements in the air we breathe and tangible health benefits for the communities we serve."

The report summarizes, permit actions, grants & incentives, partnerships, air quality monitoring, rewards, and general information about the Valley Air District.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is made up of eight counties in California's Central Valley - San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin portion of Kern.

The Valley Air District is governed by a fifteen member Governing Board consisting of representatives from the Board of Supervisors of all eight counties, one Health and Science member, appointed by the Governor, one Physician, appointed by the Governor and five Valley city representatives.

Visit the agency's website to learn more about it, including rules and regulations, hearings and public meetings, current air quality data and alerts, employment, and other information.

California ARB fines Volvo $197 million for air pollution violations

On May 18, 2026, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that Volvo has agreed to pay the state nearly $197 million as a settlement for alleged violations of emissions and certification requirements for some of its vehicles that were sold in California.  

Generic Heavy Duty Trucks Photo, Credit: CARB

The settlement  consists of approximately $18 million in penalties and costs, $71 million towards mitigation of the air quality harm caused by the violations, and an additional $108 million toward emission reduction projects throughout the state.

The settlement was the result of Volvo using undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices (AECD) that violated state requirements. These devices were used in approximately 10,000 Volvo diesel engines for model years 2010 through 2016. CARB alleged that the AECDs were not adequately disclosed during the required emission certification process, a major violation of California's heavy-duty engine regulations.

As a result, these engines emitted more smog forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions than allowed by law.

Also, as part of the settlement, Volvo agreed to recall, repair, and extend warranties to address the non-compliant AECDs for model year 2014 through 2016 diesel engines.

Said CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez, “This case underscores why CARB's compliance testing and strong enforcement are essential to protecting the state's air quality and public health. Our responsibility goes beyond adopting regulations — we are committed to upholding them by identifying violations and holding companies accountable for meeting emissions standards.” 

For more information: Volvo Settlement FAQs

Historic reductions in San Joaquin Valley Ag emissions noted by air agencies

A proclamation applauding the efforts of San Joaquin Valley farmers in cooperation with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (District), the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to reduce agricultural air emissions throughout the Valley was issued today by representatives of all four agencies. 

Photo Credit: CARB

Through several different incentive programs, the Valley ag industry turned over and destroyed more than 12,800 pieces of older, high polluting agricultural equipment, including old tractors and other equipment, resulting in the reduction of over 11 tons per day of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. NOx emissions are a key component of photochemical smog formation.

The reductions achieved are the equivalent of removing 1.5 million cars off of California roads.

According to Martha Guzman, USEPA's Regional Administrator for Region 9, “Emissions from agricultural equipment are the largest source of nitrogen oxide in the Valley and will require continued innovation and strategies for reducing air pollution – including via the $10 million grant for a low-dust nut harvester that we are announcing today.”

“The District applauds the leadership of local and state legislators, as well as Valley farmers in recognizing the public health and climate benefits provided throughout California from clean air investments,” stated Samir Sheikh, Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer for the Valley Air District. “The San Joaquin Valley agricultural sector feeds the world and coordinated multi-agency efforts like this must continue to support farmers’ ongoing transition to sustainable and air-friendly practices.”

 

For more information: Valley Agricultural Leads Nation in efforts to Improve Air Quality