State staff gives thumbs up to Valley's PM-2.5 plan
The staff of the state Air Resources Board (ARB) is recommending state approval of the Valley's plan to clean up microscopic soot and chemical debris. The plan drew heavy opposition from activists last month.
The governing board of ARB will vote on the staff recommendation – at a hearing in Fresno on May 22. The hearing will be at the headquarters of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, 1990 E. Gettysburg Ave. The district board approved the plan April 30 on a split vote, 8-3.
ARB staffers said the district's measures on residential wood smoke rule and boilers and glass furnaces will combine with state rules to help the Valley reach attainment for the so-called PM-2.5 standard by 2014.
The Valley is now represented on the ARB board by Fresno cardiologist John Telles, who is also on the Valley air district board. At his first Valley district board meeting on April 30, he voted against the cleanup plan. Many believe he again will turn thumbs down on the plan at the state meeting in Fresno.
Post a comment
(read the comment policy before posting)