Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.
I have served on the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) board for its entire 17-year existence and as it chairman the first three years.
I led the effort to separate MDAQMD from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the credit transfer bills. As the author of the resolution to repeal AB 32 (carbon emission standards), I am urging each city council and the San Bernardino board of supervisors for their support. I would like to see more local air quality boards and the state board to do the same.
The California Legislature adopted the California Global Warming Solutions Act commonly referred to as AB 32. It aims to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
A variety of scoping plan measures are currently under development including, but not limited to, Greenhouse Emissions Cap and Trade, Zero Emissions Vehicles, and Renewable Electricity Standards, as well as mandatory reporting rules.
The U.S. Congress is also considering measures regarding GHG emissions, including the Wakman-Markey and Kerry-Boxer proposals.
The continued unemployment rate in California is above 12 percent and the lack of new and expanded facilities will further weaken the economy and indeed further pollution criteria and GHGs as residents commute greater distances to obtain work.
California’s effort towards a clean environment is good and we should work to that end. Every decision must have a cost benefit analysis before implementing a policy.
The global warming issue is very debatable. AB 32 is killing our economy and our ability to put people back to work. Local governments are beginning to have the heavy hand of this regulation imposed on them. The lawsuit by Attorney General Jerry Brown against San Bernardino comes to mind.
Mike Rothschild
Mayor pro tem Victorville
MDAQMD board member