Press Release

California Legislature Approves Expanding Community Representation in Environmentally Burdened Region

SACRAMENTO – Last week, the California Legislature approved Senate Bill 675, authored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). The measure would increase the number of members on the governing board of the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, granting a much needed voice to public health experts and community members.

Air district boards were established to help jurisdictions meet federal, state, and local air quality regulations and goals. Air districts are responsible for controlling emissions, ensuring that pollution sources are compliant with regulations, permitting facilities, addressing complaints, and developing technology and research. There are a total of 35 air districts across the state that vary from smaller, rural single county boards to larger, multiregional districts. Larger county air district boards typically include members of the board of supervisors and representatives from local cities. The Imperial County Air Pollution Control District represents over 180,000 people across 7 incorporated cities. Within their jurisdiction, there are various sources of air pollution including, agricultural operations, diesel fumes, the shrinking Salton Sea, and other sources such as automobile exhaust.

However, unlike other air districts that oversee a single county, the composition of the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District specifically excludes local cities and community members from having a seat on the Board.  Instead, the Board is entirely made up of members of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, leaving out the perspectives and insight into local air pollution sources that cities and stakeholders could provide.

“The residents of Imperial County are uniquely situated at an intersection of multiple air quality issues,” said Senator Padilla. “The county has some of the worst air pollution in the country, the lakebed of the receding Salton Sea and dust storms contributing to some of the highest asthma hospitalization rates in the state. Imperial County’s Air Pollution Control District board should properly reflect the region’s diverse range of voices on air quality issues.”

Currently, the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District is comprised of only the members of the County Board of Supervisors, creating a dynamic allowing the same people approving permitting changes to approve the environmental permit process. One such project is a controversial data center development the Board of Supervisors approved despite significant community concern about the potential impacts that the data center could pose on public health, energy costs, and water use. An investigation into the project revealed it could potentially consume almost double the amount of electricity that the entirety of Imperial County used in 2024 and could also need 750,000 gallons of water per day.

SB 675 will increase the diversity on the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD)governing board by including the voices of several cities and subject-matter experts in the governance of the Board. The Board will consist of the following 11 members:

  • 1 representative from the Imperial County Board of Supervisors
  • 1 City Council representative from each of the five County supervisorial districts (no city shall have more than 2 members)
  • 5 public members appointed by the public agencies representatives with the following backgrounds:
    • A physician or public health professional
    • A representative of an environmental justice organization
    • A representative with a background in labor with an understanding of worker health and safety issues
    • A representative with a background in agricultural practices
    • A representative from the irrigation district providing water and power

SB 675 will also require the newly created ICAPCD to post data to its website related to permit information, applications to construct/operate, enforcement actions, notices of violation/notices to comply, Air Toxics “Hot Spots”, and ICAPCD budget information.  These new posting requirements will ensure that the public in Imperial County are fully informed related to the air quality in their community.

SB 675 passed the Senate by a vote of 30 to 10 and the Assembly by a vote of 58 to 19. The bill now heads to Governor Newsom’s desk for his signature.

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Steve Padilla represents the 18th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chula Vista, the Coachella Valley, Imperial Beach, the Imperial Valley, National City, and San Diego. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2022, Senator Padilla was the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor, and the first openly LGBT person to serve or be elected to city office. Website of Senator Steve Padilla: https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/