ARB AUDIT OF EMBATTLED SAN JOAQUIN DISTRICT MAY GO EASY ON OFFICIALS

Environmentalists say that a forthcoming air board audit of the San Joaquin Valley air district is unlikely to deliver any lighting bolts of criticism that may force new enforcement on polluters or more rules to meet the district's state implementation plan (SIP) requirements. Some activists charge that the agriculture industry's influence over district board members, combined with the state air board's historical reluctance to substantially hammer sister regulatory agencies, may prevent any significant recommendations for change at the district. San...