Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán issued the following statement on the passage of California State Assembly Bill 1132.
“I am pleased to see the passage of Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia’s bill, AB 1132, by the California State Assembly. This bill strengthens current law by affording Air Quality Management District (AQMD) the ability to quickly shut down businesses that are emitting dangerous levels of air pollution in violation of federal or state air quality requirements.
“Protecting our community and the air we breathe is of the utmost importance. With this new authority, the South Coast AQMD will be better positioned to ensure that communities such as Compton and Lynwood—which are currently being tested for the possible release of toxic air emissions from metal plating facilities—do not go one day longer than necessary with polluted air.
“I thank Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblywoman Garcia and Members of the Assembly for their hard work on this issue. This is a positive step in addressing the profound environmental injustices that communities of color have long faced.
“It is imperative that we support legislation like AB 1132 that strives to protect our fundamental rights. We all deserve the right to clean air, safe water, and equal protection from environmental hazards.”
###
Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.