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The Spare the Air program was established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in 1991 to reduce air pollution and provide advance notice when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect. The Air District declares Spare the Air Alerts on days when air quality is forecast to be unhealthy.

The Spare the Air program has two seasonal components that educate residents about the effects of air pollution and encourage them to take action to improve air quality in the Bay Area: Spare the Air Every Day (Summer) and Winter Spare the Air. 

Southern Alameda County Spare the Air Resource Team


BAAQMD, in support with other local organizations, has created air quality resource teams throughout the Bay Area that work to better air quality in the region. The Southern Alameda County Spare the Air Resource Team has worked to reduce greenhouse gas production and traffic congestion by promoting commute alternatives to solo driving and educating drivers about the expense and waste of unnecessary idling.

Idle Free Bay Area


The "Idle Free Bay Area" campaign encourages drivers to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling by turning off your vehicle's engine running when it is parked or not in use. Top reasons to go idle free include:

  • Save money – 30 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
  • Breathe easier – car exhaust can aggravate asthma and decrease lung function – especially in children. 
  • Keep the sky blue – car exhaust is the #1 source of summertime air pollution in the Bay Area.
  • Reduce your carbon footprint – up to 1,500 pounds of greenhouse gases per year.
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Shuttles 101 Webinar


On May 15, 2014, the team hosted Shuttles 101, a webinar tailored to the needs and interests of employers, chambers, TMAs and others seeking to learn more about how to establish a shuttle program. You can watch the video below or stream it on the Spare the Air YouTube page.

Spare the Air Youth Program


The Spare the Air Youth website was launched by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in partnership with BAAQMD to teach students about the benefits of walking, biking, carpooling or taking transit to and from school. 

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