Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

In California Clean Air Fight, Environmental Justice Takes a Leading Role

Inside Climate News: Southern California has some of the dirtiest air in the country, but it's a lot more breathable than it used to be. Much of the credit goes to the powerful regional agency responsible for stricter rules and enforcing federal air quality standards over the last 19 years for the region's 17 million people.

Now that agency, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, is at the center of a political power struggle. A new industry-friendly Republican majority has worked to roll back the district's innovative policies that led to cleaner air. That prompted concern among clean-air advocates and the poor and minority communities disproportionately affected by the region's dirty air that the board would continue to erode pollution controls. So they are fighting back.

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