California agency approves warehouse rule for air quality

[Source: Associated Press] Southern California air quality regulators on Friday approved a rule that would curb diesel emissions from thousands of trucks that ferry goods from the growing number of massive warehouses in the region run by Amazon and other companies. Areas around the facilities have weathered increased pollution affecting their largely minority communities. The Read More…

How the coronavirus is hampering enforcement of California’s air pollution rules

[Source: The Los Angeles Times] The coronavirus is having another unintended effect on California’s environment, hindering the enforcement of clean-air rules that could help protect people’s lungs during the pandemic. Field inspections have been halted since mid-March at the California Air Resources Board, which enforces rules on trucks, ships and other major pollution sources, because Read More…

Governor Newsom names appointee to South Coast AQMD board

[Source: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom] Negar “Nikki” Noushkam, 44, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board. Noushkam has been senior project manager at Environmental Remediation Services Inc. since 2007 and chief engineer for the Aerospace Corporation since 2015. Noushkam held several positions at Northrop Grumman from Read More…

Southern California’s most toxic polluters will pay more under air board’s fee hike

[Source: Los Angeles Times] Southern California air quality officials will dramatically raise fees on toxic polluters in an effort to make oil refineries, manufacturers and other industries pay a greater share of the cost of monitoring and regulating their most health-threatening emissions. The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s governing board voted 8-4 Friday to Read More…