APCO outlines 2026 priorities including AB 617 plan, lead monitoring and permitting reform

Dr. Alberto Ayala, the district’s air pollution control officer, used the Jan. 22 meeting to outline priorities and external developments the district will track in 2026.

Ayala highlighted interagency work with the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association and the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, noted the district’s upcoming 30th anniversary as an independent air district, and listed items expected to shape work this year: completion and board review of the AB 617 community emission reduction plan (first draft published for public comment), potential monitoring for lead emissions at Executive Airport, federal permitting‑reform proposals, ARB actions on corporate climate disclosure, cap‑and‑trade (cap‑and‑invest) regulatory updates, carbon capture accounting, VMT and SB updates affecting regional planning, air toxic program revisions, and data-center energy and emissions considerations.

On AB 617, Ayala said the district published a first draft of the community emission reduction plan last Friday and will take public comment before returning a final plan to the board; he said staff will present strategy chunks to the board in coming months and seek approval to submit the plan to the California Air Resources Board in July. “We just published the first draft last Friday for public comment. We’re gonna take that public comment, and then we’ll bring you the final plan,” Ayala told directors.

Ayala also recognized a staff member recently honored by the California Energy Commission and thanked board members for their oversight and engagement.

The matters Ayala identified are largely planning and coordination tasks; they will inform future rulemaking and program decisions.