FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Veda Banerjee, 510-844-0229, veda@envirovoters.org
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statement in response to the Senate’s failure to pass Senator Lena Gonzalez’s Senate Bill 342, which would have added two environmental justice seats to the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s board – people who reside in and work directly with communities most burdened by and vulnerable to pollution.
Statement from Mike Young, Political and Organizing Director, California Environmental Voters:
“The Senate sided with corporate polluters over people. The South Coast Air Quality Management District regulates the air quality of nearly 17 million Southern Californians. For too long historically excluded communities have had to needlessly breathe some of the dirtiest air in the nation because the regional air district notoriously has not done nearly enough to force industry to clean up its air pollution.”
“Lawmakers created this relatively unknown government agency decades ago, but its decisions often protect polluter profits over the health, safety, and future of nearly half the population of California. This bill was a proven chance at reform, consistent with actions lawmakers have taken to improve air quality in other parts of the state. Southern Californians should be furious for being left out and condemned to breathe toxic air. Every Californian should be concerned about the Senate’s failure to hold polluters accountable.”
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
