SCAG Takes the ‘Clean Air Pledge’ To Commemorate California Clean Air Day On Oct. 1
SCAG is taking the Clean Air Pledge to commemorate California Clean Air Day, this Oct. 1, and recommit to working with federal, state, local, and subregional partners to clean the improve air quality. The SCAG Regional Council approved a proclamation to take the pledge at its September 2025 meeting.
Millions of Southern Californians experience air quality among the nation’s worst. Emissions from vehicles, industry, and even household sources significantly affect the air quality and well-being of people in the SCAG region, particularly those living in historically underserved communities.
The Coalition for Clean Air created California Clean Air Day to unite people to improve community health and clear the air for all of California’s diverse communities.
Air quality in the SCAG region has improved significantly over the past several decades thanks to investments in sustainable transportation through the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plans/Sustainable Communities Strategy and SCAG’s Federal Transportation Improvement Program. Despite this progress, Southern California continues to face some of the most severe air quality challenges in the nation.
SCAG is committed to continuing work to improve air quality, as demonstrated in the following recent initiatives:
- Cleaner Metrolink Locomotives: Securing $52.6 million to replace 12 Tier 2 locomotives with Tier 4—the cleanest diesel technology available—with future hybrid capability.
- Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebates: Partnering with the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s INVEST CLEAN program to provide $50 million in rebates (up to $67,000 per vehicle) for replacing or converting diesel trucks to battery-electric models in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
- Zero-Emission Truck Infrastructure Study: Developing strategies and recommendations for a regional network of public charging and fueling stations for zero-emission trucks, supporting California’s statewide transition to alternative fueling technologies.
SCAG encourages its 200+ staff members and the nearly 19 million Southern California residents to take the pledge. Individual actions, such as conserving energy, not idling vehicles, and working from home, carpooling, taking public transit, walking, or biking to work and school can also contribute to improved air quality in Southern California.
For more resources and information on California Clean Air Day and to take the Clean Air Pledge, visit the California Clean Air Day website.