Sacramento, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed into law SB 886, a bill by State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino) and Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) to give the South Bay and the Westside a strong voice in the region’s air quality by creating a 13th seat on the Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The signature finally completed a struggle that Lieu has been working on almost since the day he took office in late 2005.
“This is a huge win for anyone who cares about air quality in this region,” Lieu said. “The South Bay and the Westside include one of the world’s busiest airports, two of the world’s busiest seaports, and some of the world’s most congested freeways. We have really serious air quality problems that need action.”
Formed in 1976, the SCAQMD regulates air quality and coordinates air policy for four Southern California Counties - Los Angeles Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Under previous law, Los Angeles County had three seats on the 12-member board: one chosen by the County Board of Supervisors, one chosen by the cities in the Eastern Sector of the County, and one chosen by those in the Western Sector.
The City of Los Angeles, however, was considered a Western Sector city. Since a majority of the cities plus a majority of the represented population was needed to win the seat, it was, de facto, a City of Los Angeles seat.
SB 886 recognized the uniqueness of the City of Los Angeles, and grants them an exclusive seat on the board. This allows the cities in the South Bay and the Westside to elect one of their own to the Board.
“Until today, the South Bay and the Westside suffered from regulation without representation,” Lieu added. “Now we literally have a seat at the table.”
Assemblymember Ted Lieu represents the 53rd Assembly District, which includes the cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, and Lomita, as well as Marina Del Rey and portions of the City of Los Angeles.
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