INFO ALERT: AB 617 Meeting Update

The first “steering committee” meetings, which are part of the Community Air Monitoring legislation AB 617, took place Dec. 13 and 17 in Fresno and Shafter.

Two BizFed Central Valley members are on the committees – Lee Smith in Fresno and Gabby Gonzales in Shafter. And BizFed CV staffers, Lois Henry and Melissa Traugh attended the meetings as well.

The meetings were conducted by San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District deputies Dave Warner and Sheraz Gill.

Main take away – not much action.

These meetings consisted of introductions, laying groundwork for the committee charters and establishing main topic areas for future discussion.

Issues for further consideration were fairly consistent among the meetings including:

• Outreach/education
• The need for better infrastructure
• More comprehensive air monitoring
• More equipment electrification
• How this will affect the economy

Shafter had more issues specific to area industry, including farming and oil production. Fresno issues were more community oriented. At least one Fresno committee member urged the committee to get involved in land use policies, to which air district staff responded that the committee is NOT a rule making body.

The top two issues seemed to be about the need to better define boundaries under the committee’s review and how to make sure members are getting the best possible data.

A little bit of a slow start…but at least everyone was friendly – so far!

The next meeting dates will be announced as they are established.

Full minutes and recordings will be accessible soon here.