Air District and Environmental Democracy Project Announce Landmark Settlement Agreement

The Air District has reached a positive resolution with the Environmental Democracy Project to address community concerns and enhance reporting and public engagement practices under the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Information and Assessment Act of 1987.

“This agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to protect public health and ensure transparency,” said Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Air District. “We are grateful for the collaboration with the Environmental Democracy Project and look forward to continuing our work together. By prioritizing transparency, we empower the public with the information they need for cleaner air and a healthier environment.”

“The Environmental Democracy Project is absolutely thrilled with this agreement and look forward to working closely with the Air District,” said Tanya Boyce, executive director of the Environmental Democracy Project. “It’s a huge win for our communities, providing them with the vital information they need to understand the health risks posed by industrial emissions. Participatory democracy makes things better, and this agreement is a shining example of how empowering residents can lead to stronger environmental protections and healthier, happier communities. We are so excited to continue this important work together!”

As part of this agreement, the Air District has committed to several key actions:

• Annual Health Risk Reports: The Air District will publish annual reports identifying industrial facilities that pose cancer risks and other health threats. These reports will include information about each facility’s toxic air pollutant emissions and will be distributed to county boards of supervisors, city councils, and local health officials.
• Public Hearings: The Air District will hold public hearings to present these reports and discuss their significance, ensuring that the community has the opportunity to engage with the findings and understand their implications.
• Comprehensive Facility Map: The Air District will include the information about each facility’s emissions on the comprehensive facility map available on its website. Making this information more easily available on the internet will serve as a critical tool for community members seeking to understand local environmental health risks.

The Air District will continue to work closely with community stakeholders, including the Environmental Democracy Project, to ensure that residents living near industrial facilities are well-informed about health risks from emissions.

The Environmental Democracy Project works to ensure that all communities, particularly those most impacted by industrial pollution, have a voice in environmental decision-making processes. EDP advocates for transparency, accountability and justice in environmental governance.

View press release(210 Kb PDF, 1 pg, posted 2024/7/17).