SoCal air board doesn’t need more appointees

Regional air quality control boards were established throughout California to empower local elected officials to develop air quality regulations that reflect unique populations, climatic challenges, community concerns, industrial sectors and other distinctive conditions.

Air quality management boards represent the tip of the spear for meeting air quality goals. We need these boards to function at a high level to get regulating right so our air consistently improves for all Californians. Voters elect local city councils and mayors to represent our best interests. In turn, these elected officials select from among themselves the members of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Governing Board.

Local air district board members must balance air quality goals with the region’s economics, as well as the feasibility of the proposed regulations. Democratic rulemaking should include the participation of environmental justice advocates, business leaders, experts from regulated sectors, union representatives, workers and neighbors – on this, we can safely say there is widespread and enthusiastic agreement.

SB 342 would establish precedent for other regional agencies, paving the way for Sacramento to seize control whenever political winds blow.

Here’s where things go askew: Sadly, some Sacramento legislators choose to ignore democratic principles and are, once again, attempting to push their “state-knows-best” attitude and diminish local control at SCAQMD.

California Senate Bill 342, introduced by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), proposes to add two SCAQMD board seats that Sacramento politicians would fill.

Sacramento politicians already have three appointees on the SCAQMD’s 13-member Board – almost one-quarter of all appointees who are accountable to the politician who appointed them, rather than the public.

As Los Angeles County business and civic leaders committed to common-sense solutions, we must shine a light on Sacramento politicians trying to dilute local voices and diminish local control.

SB 342 is a bad bill. It would establish precedent for other regional agencies, paving the way for Sacramento to seize control whenever political winds blow. This maneuver to pack the SCAQMD board reduces transparency, shields officials from accountability and overrides local control. That’s why all prior attempts at adding SCAQMD board seats have been defeated.

The 13-member SCAQMD board has diverse and dedicated representatives skilled in making continued progress to improve air quality with technology advancements.

Since SCAQMD’s inception, Southern California’s air quality has steadily improved. The SCAQMD released its MATES V study last year, which measures progress made in emissions reductions. The study shows the greatest risk reductions have occurred in environmental justice communities. Since 1990, the region’s population increased by approximately 30 percent, yet it has experienced a more than 75 percent reduction in inhalation health risks from air contaminants.

The 13-member SCAQMD board has diverse and dedicated representatives skilled in making continued progress to improve air quality with technology advancements. Instead of recognizing a half century of air quality improvements, SB 342 proposes that Sacramento seize control of one-third of all SCAQMD seats. This undermines proven leadership.

The SCAQMD board approved a warehouse rule last year, limiting the emissions that warehouses can receive from trucks coming to and from their warehouses. The rule is expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for clean air projects. The board also passed a refinery rule to reduce NOx emissions by up to 8 tons per day.

Local elected officials are accountable to the people they serve.

SB 342 also overlooks the proven efficacy of SCAQMD’s long-standing 30-member Advisory Group. This environmental justice group represents diverse communities and is chaired by an SCAQMD board member. Its purpose is to inform the Governing Board on environmental justice issues.

California’s size and diversity highlight that we need to protect – not diminish – local decision-maker authority throughout our state. These local elected officials are in the best position to know what’s best for their region. Most importantly, they are accountable to the people they serve. This is the cornerstone of democracy.

SCAQMD board members work directly with the agency staff, community members and regulated parties to put forth regulations – some that are widely accepted and others that are controversial.

We agree that Sacramento politicians should keep its three appointed SCAQMD board seats, maintaining 23% control. However, creating additional seats will undermine local elections and the board’s ability to develop regional solutions for regional problems. Stop SB 342.
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Editor’s Note: Tracy Hernandez is the Founding CEO of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, BizFed. Luis Portillo is president and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership.