CAB commented to DEP on its proposed Air Quality monitoring plan. Cumberland County is one of the counties in Pennsylvania that has projected air quality alerts for high levels of ozone. The plan lacks a monitor for ozone in Cumberland County. CAB will ask that DEP install an ozone monitor in Cumberland County.

CAB examines the role of trees in mitigating air pollution, selecting the best trees to improve air quality.

CAB board members explain how air pollutants affect children.

Keeping Bees and Other Pollinators Safe. CAB heard from beekeepers and gardeners on how to maintain environmentally friendly gardens and lawns.

CAB hosted a forum explaining the recently signed Paris Climate Accord at Dickinson College. Speakers addressed next steps and the U.S. role in implementing climate mitigation measures.

CAB explains how Volkswagen cheated on diesel engine emissions tests and the consequences of its actions.

CAB supports DEP efforts to reduce particulate emissions from wood burners.

Carlisle Sentinel runs a three days series of articles about air pollution in the Cumberland Valley.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updates to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution, including soot (known as PM2.5). These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and have been linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a rule to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from power plants. Specifically, these mercury and air toxics standards (MATS) for power plants will reduce emissions from new and existing coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units.

CAB supports US EPA efforts to reduce mercury pollution from large power plants.

Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act became effective. CAB is working to produce handouts about the requirements of the act to distribute to school districts, bus companies, and trucking companies.

CAB announces the Clean Air Partnership. The Carlisle Regional Medical Center, the Sentinel newspaper, and the Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania joined together to form the Clean Air Partnership to protect the health of residents living, working, studying and playing in Cumberland County by providing them with information that will allow them to make informed decisions. The partnership purchased a continuously-reading EPA certified air quality monitor. The monitor will transmit both the daily PM2.5 readings in The Sentinel newspaper and the hourly updated readings on their website (www.cumberlink.com).

DEP presented the anti-idling regulation to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). The EQB approved the proposal of this regulation subject to public hearings, comment and additional review.

DEP recommends a statewide idling rule would eliminate some diesel emissions and contribute to progress towards meeting and maintaining air standards as well as have fuel benefits.

The Environmental Quality Board (EQB), a state board that review environmental regulations for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), voted unanimously to accept for study the CAB petition to determine if a regulation limiting commercial diesel-engine idling is needed to improve air quality in Pennsylvania.

First symposium with CAB participating in a panel presentation with Jesse Keen of Keen Transport and area trucking company owners and warehouse owners encouraging them to enforce anti-idling on their properties.

Area doctors place an ad in newspapers to raise awareness of poor air quality in our area.