CE-CERT Receives Leadership in Air Quality Award at the 34th Annual Clean Air Awards

A glass award displayed in front of the University of California, Riverside's CE-CERT building, reflecting the text "University of California, Riverside Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research & Technology." The award is from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, recognizing the center for "Leadership in Air Quality." The background text highlights CE-CERT's mission to address air quality, climate change, energy, and transportation challenges

CE-CERT proudly accepted the Leadership in Air Quality Award at the 34th Annual Clean Air Awards, presented by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD). The award recognizes CE-CERT's three decades of contributions toward reducing pollution and improving air quality.

The South Coast AQMD (http://www.aqmd.gov/) is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. This area of 10,743 square miles is home to over 16.8 million people–about half the population of the whole state of California. It is the second most populated urban area in the United States and one of the smoggiest. The South Coast AQMD has worked to significantly improve air quality in the region over the past decades and continues to implement a number of policies and programs aimed at meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and state targets. For over three decades, South Coast AQMD’s Annual Clean Air Awards have recognized the contributions of individuals and organizations that have made outstanding clean air contributions to improve the health of the region’s communities and the economy.

Dr. Don Collins, CE-CERT Director, acknowledged the center's collective efforts during the awards ceremony, stating, "The credit for all of CE-CERT’s achievements goes to the hundreds of individuals who have contributed their expertise and passion over the past 30+ years."

Established in 1992, CE-CERT has been dedicated to mitigating air pollution and its impact on public health. With an interdisciplinary approach and advanced technology, CE-CERT has spearheaded transformative solutions to address society’s most complex air quality challenges. The center actively engages with policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders, and communities to advocate for evidence-based air quality policies and regulations, aiming to raise awareness and promote collective action for cleaner air and healthier environments.

"Our success is deeply rooted in our collaborative partnerships,” said Dr. Collins, “by working closely with our partners, we have been able to develop science-based solutions that translate into real-world impact."

The South Coast AQMD has been a key partner since CE-CERT’s inception, supporting the center’s efforts in research and technology development. This collaboration has strategically advanced the development of innovative technologies and has benefited the public in many ways. These include technology and policy solutions, workforce development, and regional initiatives. CE-CERT’s research programs cover a diverse range of energy and environment-related topics, including mobile emissions quantification and control technologies, deploying ultra-low and zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles, deploying renewable energy microgrids, and developing advanced atmospheric process models.

Larry McCallon, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Highland, presented the award and remarked, "CE-CERT is a leading force in tackling air quality challenges. Their research spans understanding emissions’ effects on air quality to advancing renewable energy technologies. CE-CERT focuses on five key research areas: Renewable Energy and Production, Vehicle Technology, Transportation Systems, Pollution Formation in the Atmosphere, and Exposure and Health Effects. CE-CERT’s research programs have made significant contributions, from quantifying and mitigating on- and off-road emissions to understanding and controlling secondary pollutant formation in the atmosphere, developing, and deploying clean energy technologies, and addressing climate change and other environmental challenges. As part of these programs, CE-CERT has helped pioneer the development and real-world deployment of a range of technologies that reduce emissions and protect the environment. For over 30 years, CE-CERT has continued to proudly serve as a model for partnerships among industry, government, and academia and has brought together faculty and students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines in pursuit of the knowledge needed to achieve environmental sustainability. Thanks to their dedicated efforts, they are nurturing the minds of our future scientists, researchers, and engineers who will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of innovation and progress in our society.”

Dr. Matthew Barth, former CE-CERT Director (2004 - 2021), reflects on this accolade, “We are deeply humbled to receive the 2024 South Coast AQMD Leadership in Air Quality Award. CE-CERT has always strived to serve as an ‘honest broker’ in conducting research that helps regulatory agencies, our industry partners, and society itself.”

He continues, “CE-CERT’s research scope has grown significantly over the years, spanning key areas of air quality, climate change, transportation, and energy. Our partnership with South Coast AQMD has helped fuel this growth, and we look forward to working closely together well into the future.”

As CE-CERT celebrates this achievement, the center remains committed to its mission of pioneering research, fostering innovation, and driving positive environmental change.

We extend our gratitude to the South Coast AQMD, partners, stakeholders, and the community for their support. Receiving the Leadership in Air Quality Award is not just an honor for CE-CERT, but a recognition of the collective efforts of all those who have contributed to our mission.

Watch the awards ceremony here.