Oxnard’s good air quality is among the best in California, thanks to the cleansing Pacific breezes.
Oxnard’s air quality is generally favorable, benefiting from Pacific breezes that help disperse pollutants. Compared to Ventura, Oxnard has a slightly better pollution index, indicating relatively cleaner air.
The annual average Air Quality Index AQI is at 28, reflecting a trend of improving air quality over recent years, making it a healthier environment compared to many urban areas.
Efforts to improve Oxnard’s air quality include several measures:
•Transition to Zero Emissions: The Port of Hueneme is committed to decarbonizing operations and has implemented a Community Air Quality Monitoring Program. By 2035 all trucks entering seaports and certain rail yards in the state must be zero-emission. California will also end the sales of gasoline and diesel trucks by 2036.
•Air Quality Monitoring: New air monitoring stations are being installed across Ventura County to gather detailed data and improve communication about air quality.
•Regulations on Pesticides: There are existing rules on pesticide use, with advocacy for more organic farming to reduce pollution.
For the Port of Hueneme itself
•Trying to bring in more electrification infrastructure into the port
•Not to let ships idle, but allow them to plug in
“Currently certain ships do already plug into onshore power and turn off their diesel engines once they arrive at the port.”
– Lucia Marquez, the associate policy director with CAUSE