It's Politics: Senator wants AQMD permits for public facilities

A Los Angeles state senator may have found a way for new public facilities delayed by environmental regulators to open.

Right now, local government and others can't get the necessary permits from the South Coast Air Quality Management District because of a November court decision.

But Senate Bill 696, sponsored by state Sen. Roderick Wright, D-Los Angeles, would allow the district to issue the permits.

That could be significant for the new Whittier police station and a Los Angeles County fire station on the border of La Mirada and La Habra, both of which are under construction. As of now, neither could open.

S.B. 696 would allow "the district to continue a strict permitting program that protects public health while allowing essential services and creating facilities to be built with modern, less polluting technology," Wright said.

The bill hasn't yet had a hearing before the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Newspapers
May 9, 2009

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