| Jan. 9, 2009
The Effort Will Support the Local Economy While Keeping the Region on Clean
Air Path
The South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board Chairman
William Burke today announced a “Helping Hand” initiative to further support
the local economy during the current recession while keeping the region on a
clear path toward clean air.
“Just as we have in past downturns, we will work through this one in
collaboration with all of our stakeholders,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D.,
Governing Board Chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District
Board. “Together we will continue to protect both health and jobs.”
The initiative has four main elements, including:
• Providing additional customer-service options to air quality permit
holders, including:
• a one-year extension on existing permits to mitigate
potential financing
delays;
• allowing quarterly purchase of emission trading
credits to reduce
compliance costs without sacrificing
emission reductions;
• conducting permit assistance centers one Saturday per
month; and
• offering more web-based training on permitting
processes for small
businesses.
• Sponsoring a conference to bring together clean technology developers and
funding
providers to lower market barriers for new, low-emission
technologies;
• Sponsoring green job training initiative in partnership with local
community colleges and
other providers to ensure that new technologies are
properly installed and maintained; and
• Creating a partnership/matching fund with local cities and counties to
explore additional
tree planting opportunities while also providing clean
air co-benefits. It will also enable
mechanisms for student participation.
AQMD staff will develop a detailed implementation proposal for consideration
by the AQMD Governing Board in February.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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