Legislator Will Counter S. Calif. Air Board's Polluter-Friendly Move

"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.

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.

The move comes days after the South Coast air board's new Republican majority voted to fire longtime executive officer Barry Wallerstein and to reaffirm the panel's recent adoption of oil industry-backed emissions rules on refineries and other major pollution sources."

Tony Barboza reports for the Los Angeles Times March 8, 2016.