Air pollution: indirect sources.
The bill emphasizes the adoption of regulations that necessitate technological advancements and improvements, asserting that such measures should be necessary, technologically feasible, and cost-effective. This framework is crucial for ensuring that California can attain and maintain the required ambient air quality standards, addressing both public health concerns and environmental protection goals. By enabling the state board to legislate on indirect sources, the bill seeks to mitigate pollution from those areas which may not have been adequately controlled under current laws.
Assembly Bill 1777, introduced by Assembly Member Garcia, aims to amend Section 39602.5 of the Health and Safety Code, focusing on air pollution and specifically addressing indirect sources of emissions. The bill designates the State Air Resources Board as the primary authority for controlling both vehicular and non-vehicular air pollution. Existing laws allow air pollution control districts to implement regulations, and this bill reinforces the state's ability to create regulations on indirect sources to better meet federal air quality standards as set forth in the Clean Air Act.
One notable point of contention could arise from the implications of the bill regarding local government autonomy. While the bill provides the state with additional regulatory power, it may face scrutiny over concerns about overreach into local control, particularly if it leads to the imposition of stringent regulations on businesses that operate in various jurisdictions. Additionally, the provision stating that no reimbursement is required for local agencies incurring costs due to the establishment of new crimes could provoke opposition from those advocating for local agencies’ financial responsibilities to be acknowledged.