Southern California smog worsens for second straight year despite reduced emissions

[Source: Los Angeles Times] Southern California smog worsened for a second straight year in the latest sign that progress in cleaning the nation’s most polluted air is faltering. The dive in air quality comes even though emissions are declining, forcing regulators to explain why returns are diminishing after years of progress battling smog. Ozone, the Read More…

Stench of carcasses and spoiled meat has long plagued Southeast L.A. Here’s how that’ll change

[Source: Los Angeles Times] After years of enduring the stench of spoiled meat and decaying carcasses from nearby rendering plants, residents of southeast Los Angeles County could finally see some relief under new rules approved Friday. Air quality regulators adopted long-delayed measures aimed at reducing odors from Vernon-area rendering plants, which they say can drift Read More…

South Coast Air Quality Management District bullies small businesses in minority communities

[Source: Compton Herald] The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s flawed monitoring program recently cost a minority-owned business in Paramount $100,000 in lost wages; dozens of workers were let go. We’ve all heard the stories of local polluters impacting the air we breathe, the ground we live on, and the water we drink. However, most Read More…

Air regulators cite Russian consulate in San Francisco after mysterious illegal burning

[Source: The Mercury News] After the mysterious burning of materials at the Russian consulate on the eve of its closure earlier this month, Bay Area air quality investigators Tuesday formally cited the foreign government agency for violating burn restrictions, according to an official. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued the Notice of Violation Read More…

New California law gives air quality officials the power to quickly shut down polluters

[Source: Los Angeles Times] Local air quality officials are gaining new powers to quickly stop polluters when they endanger people’s health under legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday. The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, follows years of frustration in communities such as Paramount, Boyle Heights and Maywood — where regulators have Read More…