Announcements____________________________________________
PUBLIC NOTICE
2024 AB 2588 Air Toxics Report Notice of Public Hearing
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: A public hearing will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (District) Board Room located at: 414 W. Tehachapi Blvd., Suite D, Tehachapi, CA 93561; or accessed through Zoom Meeting ID 826 861 7254, for the purpose of reviewing the 2024 Air Toxics Report and to provide the public an opportunity to comment. Section 44363 of the California Health and Safety Code requires the District to conduct a public hearing at which the Annual Air Toxics Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588) Annual Report is presented for discussion.
The report summarizes the air toxics program and describes toxic control measures. Facilities are identified and ranked according to the cancer and noncancer health risks posed by their toxic air pollutant emissions.
A copy of the 2024 Air Toxic Report can be downloaded at the link below. You may also contact the District at: 2700 “M” Street, Suite #302, Bakersfield, CA 93301, ekapcd@kerncounty.com, or by phone (661) 862-5250 to request a copy be sent to you.
Written comments are invited for consideration and will be received until the close of business on November 14, 2025. Such written comments may be submitted to the Administrative Office addressed to: Miguel Sandoval, Eastern Kern APCD at 2700 “M” Street, Suite #302, Bakersfield, CA 93301; email: ekapcd@kerncounty.com, or phone: (661) 862-5250.
Click here to Download 2024 AB 2588 Report
FY 2025/2026 Wood Smoke Reduction Program (WSRP) Out of Funds
The 2025/26 WSRP is out of funds. Be advised, no more WSRP applications will be accepted and no retroactive vouchers or rebates will be offered. Background, the District offers rebate vouchers through its Wood Smoke Reduction Program (WSRP) to replace non-EPA certified wood stoves with new EPA certified wood, pellet, or electric stove, or install an EPA certified wood, pellet, or electric fireplace insert into a home that uses the heating device as its primary source of heat.
Click Here for WSRP Resources Page
FY 2025/2026 DMV Grant Program
The District is now accepting Fiscal Year 2025/2026 DMV Grant Program applications. Program Grantees can receive up to $50,000 for an eligible project that reduces emissions from on-road motor vehicle related activities. Eligible projects include funding for road paving, installation of a Level II or Level III publicly accessible EV charge station, installation of a publicly accessible CNG refilling station, public education courses geared toward reducing emissions, vanpool implementation, construction of park & ride facilities, and construction of a bike path.
All applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. February 27, 2026. Emailed or Faxed applications will not be accepted. All application packages must have original wet signature and mailed, or hand delivered.
Click Here for FY 25/26 DMV Grant Program Guidelines and Applications
Click Here for DMV Grant Program resources page
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Program
The ZEV Rebate Program incentivizes Eastern Kern County residents to reduce their motor vehicle emissions by purchasing a zero-emissions automobile.
Eligible applicants will receive a Rebate of up to $4,000, not exceeding 25% of the total cost of purchasing a new ZEV with an EPA Smog Score of 10. All ZEV Rebate Program applications will be processed in the order they are received. ZEV Rebates are awarded first-come first-served until program funds have been exhausted. Standard processing time is 30 days from date of receipt.
Click Here for ZEV Rebate Program Guidelines & Application
Open Burning on SRA land Closes April 28, 2025
The Kern County Fire Department announced open burning of hazard reduction fuels on SRA land will close on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Be advised: Fire hazard reduction open burning requires a burn burmit. Burn Permits can be obtained online through Community Connect. Community Connect can be accessed by clicking the link below, or through the Hazard Reduction Pile Burning Permit Application widget on the sidebar. Instruction for obtaining a burn permit can be found by clicking the link below.
Hazard Reduction Burn Permit Instructions
Link for obtaining Hazard Reduction Burn Permit
Hearing Board Vacancy 2/20/2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that one unscheduled vacancy has occurred on the five-member Variance Hearing Board. The District is soliciting candidates willing to serve in this position. The District is required to try to fill this position with an attorney or medical professional, as we do not currently have these professions represented on the five-person Hearing Board, however, all general public candidates will be considered.
Any person interested in being considered to fill said vacancy should file a written statement requesting to serve on the Hearing Board, addressed to: Cristina Bolton, Clerk of the Board of Directors, EKAPCD, 2700 M St., Ste. 302, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Submit the statement as soon as possible, please include the candidate’s name, address, telephone number, brief statement of work experience, education, and other qualifications.
Click here for complete details
Health Effects of Inhaling Smoke
Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burns. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases and are even linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.
People with asthma, heart disease, lung disease, older adults, and children are at greater risk of being affected by smoke. If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from smoke but it's still a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. It's important to limit your exposure to smoke, especially if you may be susceptible.
How to tell if smoke is affecting you:
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.
Protect yourself:
Watch local news and weather stations, pay attention to health warning and air quality reports, you can also use the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI). Use common sense; if it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn, go for a run, or let children play outside.
If your advised to stay indoors take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run an air conditioner if needed but make the fresh air intake is closed and the filter is clean. Do not use a swamp cooler as it will pull in lots of smoke from outside. If your house becomes to hot to be comfortable seek alternative shelter. If it is cool outside try to avoid anything that produces heat from burning such as a fireplace, gas logs, or a gas stove.
Residential Wood Burning
Many Eastern Kern County residents
use woodstoves and fireplaces to heat
their homes.
If you burn please remember to do so
as cleanly as possible.
Never burn household waste in your
woodstove or fireplace and only burn
clean, dry, seasoned wood, and maintain
a hot fire.
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Homeowner Guide
