INDUSTRY SET TO CHALLENGE PARTICULATE MATTER PENALTY BILL

Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) has introduced a bill that allows the air board and air districts to impose additional fines on sources that emit high levels of particulate matter (PM) in violation of state or federal air quality standards. Expected to face industry opposition, the bill seeks to counter a recent U.S. EPA proposal to abandon a standard for coarse PM in rural areas ( see related story ). Supporters say SB 1252 seeks to uphold the state's enforcement ability...