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Today, on the
50th anniversary of its creation, the California Air Resources Board unveiled a
new logo, kicking off a year-long celebration and affirming its continued
commitment to reducing air pollution and fighting climate change as it enters
the next half century.
On August 30,
1967, then Governor Ronald Reagan approved the Mulford-Carrell Act combining
the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control
Board. The new agency would be rooted in science, but given the political
authority to work with all stakeholders and adopt the most effective course of
action to reduce the threat of air pollution to public health.
CARB delivered
on its promise establishing world-leading emission standards for vehicles, driving
technology to develop cars today that are 99 percent cleaner than those in the
1960s. Building on those standards with a wide variety of other programs, and working
with local air districts, California’s air quality began to steadily improve.
One of the most notable successes was the cleanup of smog, especially in the
Los Angeles basin. In 1967 there were 239 first-stage smog alerts (including
68 stage 2 smog alerts which restricted outdoor activities especially
for children and other vulnerable populations). Last year there were none,
making it possible for millions living in Los Angeles today to marvel at the
sight of the San Gabriel Mountains on a daily basis. 50 years ago, those
mountains were, for the most part, invisible – hidden by a thick blanket of
smog.
"Over the
past 50 years, California has seen many advances in technology, communications
and design,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “The new logo brings CARB's image
into the 21st century and reflects the pride all Californians can take in
beating back the smog monster."
 The new logo,
developed internally by CARB designers, will now be featured on the redesigned
CARB website that will come online shortly. The new website will feature an
updated format and more intuitive navigation to make it easier to find
information about CARB’s programs and plans.
Major events
planned for CARB’s 50th Anniversary include a groundbreaking for the new
Southern California Headquarters Building and laboratory in Riverside in
October. There will also be two symposia in 2018 on scientific and policy
discussions related to air pollution, public health and climate change with a
focus on challenges in the coming decades. A special Board meeting and
celebration will be held on February 8, 2018 – exactly 50 years to the day
after the first-ever Board meeting held after CARB’s was founded.
For more information contact the Office of Communications at (916) 322-2990 or pio@arb.ca.gov.
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