California Air Resources Board

California Air Resources Board
Logo of the California Air Resources Board
Agency overview
Formed1967
Preceding agencies
  • Bureau of Air Sanitation
  • Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board
JurisdictionCalifornia
Headquarters1001 I Street, Sacramento, California
Employees1,994 (2024)[1]
Annual budgetUS$1.005 billion (2024-25)[1]
Agency executive
Parent agencyCalifornia Environmental Protection Agency
Websitehttps://ww2.arb.ca.gov/

The California Air Resources Board (CARB or ARB) is an agency of the government of California that aims to reduce air pollution. Established in 1967 when then-governor Ronald Reagan signed the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, CARB is a department within the cabinet-level California Environmental Protection Agency.

The stated goals of CARB include attaining and maintaining healthy air quality; protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants; and providing innovative approaches for complying with air pollution rules and regulations. CARB has also been instrumental in driving innovation throughout the global automotive industry through programs such as its ZEV mandate.

One of CARB's responsibilities is to define vehicle emissions standards. California is the only state permitted to issue emissions standards under the federal Clean Air Act, subject to a waiver from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Other states may choose to follow CARB or the federal vehicle emission standards but may not set their own.[2]

  1. ^ a b "2024-25 State Budget". Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Vehicle Emissions California Waivers and Authorizations". United States Environmental Protection Agency. August 2, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.