Supervisor Highlights Efforts to Improve Air Quality

Supervisor Perez Highlights Regional Progress and Legislative Efforts to Improve Air Quality

South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board Member and  Riverside County Supervisor for the Fourth District V. Manuel Perez joined fellow Board Members and leaders from across the region to highlight continued efforts to improve quality, invest in local communities, and advance policies that provide meaningful resources to address air pollution and public health challenges.

“It’s remarkable what we’ve been able to accomplish in communities throughout our jurisdiction,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, reflecting on the collaborative work underway across the region. “While this work is not always easy, we remain committed to working together with our communities to make progress.”

Supervisor Perez emphasized the importance of collaboration among elected officials, community members, advocates, and air-quality leaders to identify priorities and bring resources to communities that need them most. As a former member of the California State Assembly and current chair of the South Coast AQMD Legislative Committee, Supervisor Perez also noted the importance of carefully evaluating legislation and recognizing that well-intentioned policies can sometimes have unintended consequences.

“That is why we have to be visionary yet thoughtful in the policies we pursue,” Perez said. “We need to make sure that the policies we advance are responsive to the needs of our communities and provide the resources necessary to address the challenges we face.”

Supervisor Perez also highlighted AB 2349, legislation designed to strengthen the state’s response to significant air-quality incidents. Having now advanced to the Governor’s desk, local leaders are hopeful that it will be signed into law. If enacted, this legislation would provide a framework for establishing emergency air-quality response centers and help communities respond more effectively when air pollution events create significant public-health concerns.

“This legislation can give us another important tool to respond to emergencies and help ensure our communities have the resources they need,” Perez said. “We have an obligation to do everything we can to protect public health, and this bill can help us meet that responsibility.”

Perez also recognized the individuals and community leaders who have dedicated years to the fight for cleaner air.

“We should never forget the people who have worked tirelessly on these issues over the years,” Perez said. “Many dedicated individuals have devoted their careers to improving air quality in our region.  Their work laid the foundation for the progress we are making today, and it is important that we honor their contributions.  Dr. Burke is the epitome of such an individual.”

AQMD’s continued work represents the next chapter in a longstanding regional effort to reduce air pollution, strengthen environmental protections, and ensure that communities have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their health and quality of life, all while balancing the economic well-being of our constituents.

Following Supervisor Perez’s remarks, Lisa Tanaka, Deputy Executive Officer for Legislative, Public Affairs and Media, provided an update on legislative and public-affairs activities and the agency’s ongoing efforts at the state and federal levels. Tanaka noted that the Agency continues to coordinate with its state and federal legislative consultants to advance policies and secure resources that support clean-air initiatives throughout the region.

“Clean air requires sustained collaboration at every level of government,” Perez said. “We will continue to work with communities, industry, and our legislative partners to bring resources to improve our air quality.”