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SB 1387 adds three new environmental justice representatives to
the SCAQMD board . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2016 
CONTACT: Claire.Conlon@sen.ca.gov (916) 651-4024 

Senate Committee Approves SCAQMD Bill to Boost Voice of
Communities Impacted Most by Air Pollution 
SB 1387 Adds Three New Environmental Justice Representative to
District Board 

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality today
approved a measure by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León
(D-Los Angeles) to give communities suffering most from air
pollution greater say at the South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD). 

Approved by a vote of 5-2, SB 1387 adds three new environmental
justice representatives to the SCAQMD board while taking steps to
ensure board compliance of state and federal clean-air laws. 

“After decades of bi-partisan support for clean air in our
region, an effort began last year to install an anti-clean air
majority on the board.” said Senator De León. “Now, they are in
control of the board and pushing an agenda that harms the health
of children and families. Residents in the region will not
tolerate this board taking us back to the days of smog blanketing
our communities – they demand clean air and cleaner energy.” 

The SCAQMD has taken decidedly anti-clean air positions since
Republicans recently gained a seven-member majority on the
13-member board. Today, the board does not reflect the will of
the people, and it certainly does not mirror the diverse racial
and socioeconomic composition of its constituents who are most
burdened by pollution (article). SB 1387 aims to neutralize
industry influence on the board by increasing its membership to
16, with the Governor, Assembly Speaker, and Senate Pro Tem each
with an additional appointment. 

“I anticipate that the new environmental justice appointments
will give a stronger voice to low-income communities of color
that disproportionality suffers from air pollution. For their
sake we cannot afford to turn back the clock on our clean-air
regulations,” said Senator De León. 
### 
Claire Conlon 
Press Secretary 
Office of Senate President pro Tempore 
Senator Kevin de León 
24th Senate District – Los Angeles 
(916) 651-4024 
Senator Kevin de León 
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