About Us

Who We Are

Operation Clean Air, Inc. is a broad based coalition of all stakeholders in the overlapping issues of air quality and economic prosperity in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Organized as a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, OCA represents thirteen key sectors of public and private interests concerned with these critical twin issues facing California's fastest growing region. The sector members are: Agriculture, Building Industry, Community Based Groups, Education, Energy, Environmental Groups, General Business, Healthcare, Labor, Local Government-Cities, Local Government-Counties, Transportation Industry and Utilities. OCA is dedicated to identifying and implementing sustainable voluntary initiatives and incentives to reduce air emissions without damaging the Central Valley's economy.

What We've Done

Held an inaugural summit in April, 2003, attended by over 400 people from all over the Valley to understand the problem and begin to identify solutions that are primarily voluntary initiatives and incentives to reduce emissions and promote job growth. Adopted a draft Clean Air Action Plan in which each Sector identified initiatives that are already in place in its Section, initiatives that could easily be adopted with little effort or expense and major initiatives that could be invoked with proper resources and application. Continued to build the coalition, identify Sector representatives and invite participation from interested stakeholders who support our Mission. Received a $200,000 public education grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Conducted Air Fairs in four venues in the State. Received a $200,000 grant from United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in converting wood burning stoves and fireplaces to less particulate-emitting devices in low to moderate income households. Applied for $5,000,000 for public fleet conversions from the Transportation Reauthorization Bill and received a grant of $836,000 for a pilot program to be paid over four years for this purpose. Visited twice with elected representatives and public agencies in Washington D.C. to discuss the problems and solicit awareness, recognition and support.

What's Next On Our Agenda

OCA has introduced the concept of an Air Quality Empowerment Zone ("AQEZ"). Modeled loosely after existing federal Economic Empowerment Zones, the AQEZ would specifically target areas with extremely poor air quality and pervasive economic stagnation and offer stimulants to reduce emissions and develop jobs in the form of federal income tax credits for appropriate capital expenditures, low and zero interest loans to finance such expenditures and other incentives and acknowledgments for businesses who are eligible to participate and comply with the procedures to be developed. OCA intends to have appropriate legislation introduced in the current Congress and has already received great interest and pledges of support for key elected officials, public agencies and private business for the concept. In October, 2005, OCA intends to hold a follow-up Summit to introduce the AQEZ, seek public input and refine its details. The 2005 Summit will be open to all interested stakeholders and the public at large. Unlike the initial Summit, the 2005 Summit will focus on solutions and not just on the problems that we face.