Sacramento, CA – June 28, 2024 – Assemblymember Greg Wallis and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, representing the greater Coachella Valley have joined together to request swift action to address the worsening air quality in the Coachella Valley. In a letter to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), they highlighted the critical discrepancy between the AQMD’s claims of improving air quality and the reality on the ground. The letter is attached for your reference.
Despite assertions by the AQMD, the air quality in the Coachella Valley has not shown significant improvement. The windy spring season has exacerbated the problem by stirring up dust and clay deposits left behind by Tropical Storm Hillary, leading to elevated levels of harmful PM10 particles in the air.
The request from Assemblymembers Wallis and Garcia emphasizes the urgent need for the AQMD to prioritize this issue and implement more effective measures. These include suggestions from the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, along with increased monitoring, stricter enforcement of air quality regulations, and more robust public awareness campaigns to inform residents about ways to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
“Our community is rightly concerned with the current air quality situation,” said Assemblymember Wallis. “We’re dedicated to working with the AQMD to find the best solutions to this critical health issue. By working together, we believe we can make real improvements in air quality and create a healthier environment for everyone in the Coachella Valley.”
Assemblymember Garcia added, “It’s crucial that we take stronger actions to tackle this problem and protect our community’s well-being. We’re ready to team up with the AQMD to address these concerns and make sure our policies support a safe and healthy environment for all.”
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