California State Senate Reacts Quickly to Air Management Board Shakeup

"The leader of the state Senate said Tuesday that he will push to reverse efforts by the Southern California air quality board to adopt pollution rules friendlier to industry, saying swift action is needed to prevent a rollback of environmental gains," reports Tony Barboza.

"State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) said he will introduce legislation to add three new members to the South Coast Air Quality Management District board — one public health expert and two environmental justice members — to represent communities suffering from pollution," adds Barboza.

For more background on the ongoing controversy, see earlier coverage by Planetizen correspondent Irvin Dawid.