In One Of The Most Polluted Places In America, Air Quality Board Weakens Pollution Rules

[Kablooie]

On Friday, Southern California’s air quality board voted during a closed-door meeting to forcefully roll back pollution regulations in favor of regulations backed by oil refineries and other polluters. At the same time, the board also voted to dismiss their executive officer Barry Wallerstein, who had presided over the board since 1997.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District board manages pollution in a four-county region of Southern California, including some of the most polluted areas in the country. Under Wallerstein’s tenure, the number of days that air quality exceeded federal standards dropped by a third, but environmental and public health groups are quick to note that Southern California’s pollution levels are still far from meeting federal health standards, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Republicans took control of the air quality board in February, and new members have not been shy about their intentions to bring a more industry-friendly approach to pollution control. All seven of the board’s Republicans voted to dismiss Wallerstein, narrowly beating out opposition from the board’s five Democrats and one independent.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Times editorial board urged the air quality board to reconsider its stance on pollution regulation, calling the argument that pollution regulation hampers economic growth “a false choice.”

“Cleaning Southern California’s air isn’t an either/or proposition,” the editorial board wrote. “It will require cutting all sources of pollution. The AQMD board needs to stay focused on that task.”

Read More:
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/03/05/3756971/southern-california-air-quality-vote/

[PatrickforO]

1. The BIG OIL LIE. We can either have a fouled environment or jobs, but not both.

Shit like this is why the corporations are winning. Unless the Dems quit being gutless wonders and strongly oppose shit like this, it will CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

[pscot]

4. IOW, as long as we rely on oil for jobs

we'll have fouled air and water.

[truedelphi]

2. This is illegal in California, due to the state's Brown Act.

Closed Door Meeting?? Are you kidding me??

Some activist group needs to put together a lawsuit...

[Kip Humphrey]

3. I read this and think to myself,"Do these republicons and their families not breathe the same air?"