(CA) Legislation targets airports, ports

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Thursday, February 9, 2006

Legislation targets airports, ports

By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer

Airports, seaports and rail yards across California may have to take big steps to curb pollution from diesel-powered truck, train and ship engines for the first time under state legislation that passed the Assembly and is headed for the Senate.

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Authored by Assembly Transportation Committee Chairwoman Jenny Oropeza, D-Carson, the measure passed the Assembly 42-31 last week. Assembly Bill 1101, if it were to become law, would treat airports, seaports and rail yards as if they were stationary sources of toxic air pollution. Those places are defined as "diesel magnet sources" because by their nature, they attract many diesel engines.

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Oropeza represents voters who live next to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which comprise one of the world's busiest and fastest-growing port complexes.

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The legislation is sharply opposed by the California Chamber of Commerce. The statewide business group says that it would impede goods movement around the state and calls it a "job-killer" bill... Under the legislation, the regional air districts would be given responsibility for regulating the targeted sources. Airports, ports and rail yards essentially would be treated like other stationary sources of toxic air pollutants, as are several military installations, ship builders and plants that work with metal.

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Contact staff writer Dave Downey at [phone] or [e-mail].


http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/02/09/business/news/12_15_392_8_06.txt