INFO ALERT: Extraordinary mobilization for SCAQMD Air Quality Management Plan hearing

BizFed mobilized in FORCE to advocate for the passage of the 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), which is a regional blueprint for achieving federal air quality standards that was being voted on by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) this past Friday (2/3).Close to 100 members of the business community attended the AQMP Hearing and stood in solidarity (pictured right and below) when BizFed CEO Tracy Hernandezdelivered a strong testimony to the AQMD Board to pass the AQMP without amendments that would establish costly, draconian regulations on Southern California’s business community.

The vote on the AQMP was delayed until March 3 due in part to the absence of Board Member Clark Parker who had to attend a relative’s funeral. Of note, LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl introduced late amendments to implement Indirect Source Rules (ISRs) as part of the Plan. ISRs would subject goods movement facilities (e.g., warehouses, ports, railyards, etc.) for which mobile sources are an inherent emissions source to an emissions cap regardless of whether the facility owns or operates the emissions-causing equipment. ISRs could have grave unintended consequences such as limiting business activity, causing freight diversions, adding operational delays, eliminating jobs, and reducing revenues to local cities and counties. BizFed will continue to organize the business community to advocate to the AQMD Board to not take a draconian regulatory approach to the 2016 AQMP such as establishing ISRs. If you would like to get involved in this important advocacy work leading up to next month’s AQMP vote, please emailBrandon.Matson@BizFed.org. Click here to read BizFed's AQMP coalition paper to learn more

The extraordinary turnout from the business community was truly a collaborative effort. A special thank you goes to Steve Faichneyand Valero for an especially strong turnout! In addition, appreciation is extended to all those who testified at the Hearing: Mike Lewis, BizFed Chairman; Bill LaMarr,California Small Business Alliance; Bill Quinn, California Council for Economic and Environmental Balance; Brad Jensen, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership; Carla Walecka, Carla Walecka Planning; Chris Cannon, Port of Los Angeles; Chris Shimoda, California Trucking Association; Curtis Coleman, Southern California Air Quality Alliance; Dan Hoffman, SBACC; Elizabeth Hawley, VICA; Elizabeth Warren, FuturePorts; Gene Seroka,Port of Los Angeles; George Minter, The Gas Company; John Heintz, Latham and Watkins, LLP; Dr. John Husing, IEEP; LaDonna DiCamillo, BNSF Railway; Mike Tunnel, California Trucking Association; Mike Williams, IWLA; Patty Senecal, WSPA; Peter Herzog, NAIOP; Rich Lambros,SoCal Leadership Council; Rick Cameron, Port of Long Beach; Sarah Rascon, LA Chamber; Thomas Jelenic, PMSA; Tom Gross, Southern California Edison; and Weston LaBar, Harbor Trucking Association

BizFed and its members helped coalesce a strong media presence leading up to the AQMP Hearing. Of particular note, the Southern California News Group provided exceptional coverage of the issues surrounding the AQMP. Below are links to recent news articles in which BizFed is featured or that featured BizFed’s messaging. Op-ed by BizFed CEO Tracy Hernandez AQMP news column from the Southern California News Group AQMP editorial from the Southern California News Group LA Times article recapping the AQMP Hearing LA Times article leading up to the AQMP Hearing KPCC coverage of the AQMP Hearing