Dr. William A. Burke ends remarkable career as Chairman of South Coast AQMD Governing Board
By Danny J. Bakewell, Jr. Executive Editor
Published May 13, 2021
He leaves with a legacy of cleaner air, achievements for environmental justice and historical inclusionary votes for All.
Dr. William Burke (Courtesy image)
Dr. William A. Burke finished his final Governing Board meeting at South Coast Air Quality Management (South Coast AQMD), making history yet again. On May 7, South Coast AQMD’s Governing Board approved the Warehouse Indirect Source Rule, a first-of-its-kind regulation aimed to curb emissions associated with the booming warehouse industry. The rule would reduce pollution in communities near these warehouses, particularly communities of color. Dr. Burke retired after 27 years of service, including an unprecedented 23 years as chair. The Diamond Bar headquarters’ auditorium was newly named after Dr. Burke for his lifelong dedication and service as a leade
By City News Service
Fireworks for the Fourth of July
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion today to pursue new strategies to curtail illegal fireworks, including a buyback program and reward program for people who report major suppliers of illegal fireworks.
“We know how many of our household pets, seniors, and families have been traumatized by the explosives that will start to commence and to grow in use about now, so it s really important that we start to develop alternative strategies, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who introduced the motion, told council members before Wednesday s vote.
Reynoso is a recently-elected councilman who also works as a community organizer with Inland Congregations United for Change, a longtime participant in local environmental justice campaigns.
“The strategy is to get ahead of the narrative, and to educate people on the impacts who don t know about it.” Reynoso said.
He wants local residents to understand the link between the logistics industry and pollution, and reach the people who “aren t connecting the filthy sky, when you can t see the mountain, to the diesel truck that just rolled past your house
.”
Other cities are also pushing to make their warehouses less polluting, like Riverside. Its city council imposed a moratorium late last year on new warehouses for a section of town called Northside. When the moratorium was lifted, higher standards were imposed on future warehouses in that area.
City News Service
A windblown dust advisory will be in effect through Sunday night in the San Gorgonio Pass area near Banning and the Coachella Valley due to strong wind gusts.
The National Weather Service is forecasting westerly gusts of up to 65 mph in the deserts and mountains until 11 p.m. Sunday, triggering the dust advisory.
High winds could kick up dust and create unhealthy air conditions, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The San Bernardino Mountains near the 2020 wildfire burn scars may also experience blowing ash, SCAQMD officials warned.
Residents in wind-impacted areas were encouraged to limit exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed, and to avoid vigorous physical activity.
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San Bernardino County recently ranked No. 1 as the most ozone-polluted county in the nation, according to an April 21 report from the American Lung Association. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
RIALTO, CA About three years ago, Ana Gonzalez s son frequently came down with a severe cough, which often turned into bronchitis and, on one occasion, pneumonia. Her doctor later told her that her son had developed asthma because of local pollution in Rialto a city she has called home for 23 years.
The pollution in question stemmed from distribution warehouses which drew sprawling lines of large diesel big rigs that were built in the Inland Empire over the last decade.