AAPCA Convenes 2026 Spring Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia
Keynote and featured remarks from U.S. EPA Office of Air & Radiation and Region 4
Topics covered Clean Air Act implementation, cooperative federalism, and data centers
May 8, 2026
Lexington, KY
The Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) held the AAPCA 2026 Spring Meeting on April 7, 8, and 9 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Association welcomed 130 participants from 31 state, local, and tribal air agencies; multiple nongovernmental organizations; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Office of Air & Radiation (OAR) and Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
“It was great to assemble in my home city of Atlanta with key state, local, and federal air quality partners to hear updates from subject matter experts on recent successes and challenges with Clean Air Act implementation,” remarked AAPCA President Jim Boylan, Chief of the Georgia Air Protection Branch. “The topical session featuring state, local, and national perspectives on data centers was informative and engaging by exploring past and present air regulatory aspects of data centers.”
AAPCA was honored to have Jeff Cown, Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, welcome attendees to Atlanta and speak to the significant improvements in air quality from emissions reductions in Georgia, while the state simultaneously experienced demonstrable economic growth.
AAPCA was also honored by the participation of Aaron Szabo, U.S. EPA Office of Air & Radiation Assistant Administrator, and Kevin McOmber, U.S. EPA Region 4 Regional Administrator, for the keynote address and featured remarks. “Participation from EPA leadership and the new Office of State Air Partnerships is important to co-regulators for ensuring successful cooperative federalism outcomes to protect air quality and public health,” commented AAPCA Secretary-Treasurer Hether Krause, Deputy Director of the Arizona Air Quality Division.
The agenda included state, local, federal, and nongovernmental organization speakers presenting a range of timely Clean Air Act (CAA) topics, covering air quality standards and planning as well as other technical updates. Attendees discussed complex issues for CAA implementation, such as data center proliferation and disaster debris management. AAPCA’s 2026 Spring Meeting featured an in-depth session on What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Data Center, with presentations from state, local, and technical experts. Sessions also featured recent analyses of air toxics and aerosols, air permit program updates, and CAA legal updates. Presentations that are available from AAPCA’s 2026 Spring Meeting are posted here.
AAPCA’s 2026 Fall Business Meeting will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 9, 10, and 11 at the Raleigh Marriott City Center hotel. More information will be available on AAPCA’s website (www.cleanairact.org).
AAPCA Background
The Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) is a national, non-profit, consensus-driven organization focused on assisting state and local air quality agencies and personnel with implementation and technical issues associated with the federal Clean Air Act. Created in 2012, AAPCA represents 53 state and local air pollution control agencies, and senior officials from 21 state environmental agencies currently sit on the AAPCA Board of Directors. AAPCA is housed in Lexington, Kentucky as an affiliate of The Council of State Governments. More information about AAPCA can be found at www.cleanairact.org.
Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies | 1776 Avenue of the States | Lexington, Kentucky 40511
www.cleanairact.org | @AAPCA_States | LinkedIn
Contact: Morgan Dickie, Executive Director (mdickie@csg.org / 859-244-8043)