SCAG Takes the ‘Clean Air Pledge’ to Commemorate California Clean Air Day

Image

SCAG is taking the Clean Air Pledge to commemorate California Clean Air Day this Oct. 7, reaffirming our commitment to working with federal, state, local, and subregional partners to improve regional air quality. The SCAG Regional Council approved a proclamation to take the pledge at its October 2026 meeting.   

Although air quality in Southern California consistently ranks among the nation’s worst, the region continues to make significant improvements through investments in sustainable transportation and ongoing collaboration with SCAG's local, state, and federal partners. 

SCAG remains committed to improving air quality, as shown by the following recent initiatives: 

• 2027 Federal Transportation Improvement Program and Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Amendment 2 – In September, the SCAG Regional Council adopted the 2027 Federal Transportation Improvement Program and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 2, including the associated transportation conformity analyses that demonstrate regional transportation plans’ alignment with federal air quality goals for the region.
• 2028 Games Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategic Plan – In September, SCAG published the new 2028 Games Transportation Demand Management Strategic Plan, a regional strategy to manage transportation demand during the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The plan promotes policies, such as carpooling, transit use, biking, walking, remote work, and other travel options to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions. Continuing these behaviors beyond the games could have lasting benefits for the region's air quality long after 2028.
• Southern California Zero-Emissions Truck Infrastructure Study – Also in September, SCAG published the “Southern California Zero Emission Truck Infrastructure Study,” which provides strategies and recommendations for expanding a regional network of public charging and fueling stations for zero-emission trucks. The study also supports statewide efforts to transition medium- and heavy-duty trucks to alternative fueling technologies. 

Despite recent progress, Southern California still faces some of the nation’s most severe air quality challenges. Emissions from vehicles, industry, and households continue to impact the air quality and well-being of people in the SCAG region, especially 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. 

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 improve 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.