The
California Environmental Protection Agency released a statewide list of
census tracts (about 8,000) that are most impacted by pollution, providing a ranking to
influence regulators to clean up specific neighborhoods with a long history of
health risks.
Most of the
areas are located in the San Joaquin Valley, Los Angeles County, and
Inland Empire. This objective list of environmental conditions serves as a
strong tool to encourage regulators to take action on specific highly-polluted
neighborhoods. As a result, highly-valued state resources can now be targeted
where they are needed the most.
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| Source: LA Times 20140423 |
The
screening tool is called Cal EnviroScreen and it takes into account multiple
environmental conditions, such as polluted air, water, waste facilities, and
contaminated soil, in the neighborhood. In addition, the Cal EnviroScreen considers socioeconomic traits like
poverty, education, and unemployment.
In 2012,
Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) wrote SB 535 which says that states should require to spend
25% of the auction proceeds from California’s cap and trade program towards
disadvantaged communities that have high concentrations of pollution. SB 535 has been signed into law and Governor
Jerry Brown’s proposed budget for 2014-15 would reserve approximately $225 million from the
cap and trade proceeds ($850 million) for these distressed communities.
Governmental
agencies can now zero in on these environmental risks in communities with as
few as 2,500 people through a variety of actions including environmental
enforcement, cleanups, and economic solutions like sustainable development
projects that create jobs.
The Reynolds Group is an expert of understanding on both existing and pending regulations. To contact The Reynolds Group see how their expertise may best represent you, call the office at (714) 730-5397 or email sales@reynolds-group.com.
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