Air Quality

"We have to ask ourselves, 'If this was any in other community being impacted like this...would they have been allowed to continue [to emit] these odors [that are] going out and affecting the community?'"

In the immortal words of our former Vice President Joe Biden, “This is a big f*cking deal.”

Polar bears might be able to breathe a little easier, but neighborhood drilling around Los Angeles continues to be a problem.

This coming Saturday, June 25, and next Thursday, June 30, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will hold scoping meetings to gather community input regarding the extent to which the clean-up of lead-contaminated properties located within a 1.7-mile radius of shuttered lead-acid battery smelter Exide could affect surrounding neighborhoods. Community comments, the DTSC Notice of Preparation (NOP) states, will "help shape the scope of the Environmental Impact Report" (EIR) which will ultimately guide the clean-up of as many as 2,500 contaminated properties.

According to a press release, California Governor Jerry Brown just signed legislation directing $176.6 million "to expedite and expand [lead] testing and cleanup of residential properties, schools, daycare centers and parks around the former Exide Technologies facility in Vernon, California."

The office of Governor Jerry Brown sent out a press release earlier today announcing his intention to "pursue an additional appropriation" of $176.6 million for lead testing and clean-up in the 1.7-mile radius around Exide Technologies' now-shuttered lead-acid battery recycling facility in Vernon (seen above).

"I want you to take a good look at me," the fragile-looking young man with a curved spine, hunched shoulders, and gangly arms addressed members of the Exide Community Advisory Committee (CAC), representatives of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and Department of Public Health (DPH), and concerned residents and environmental justice advocates from the communities surrounding Exide Technologies' now-shuttered lead-acid battery recycling facility.

"I still don't have a clear picture of what the results [of the lead testing in the Expanded Assessment Areas] are," said a representative of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.

As news began to trickle out Wednesday night that, under an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, embattled lead-acid battery recycler Exide Technologies will be forced to permanently shutter its Vernon plant, hope seemed to have finally been restored to those who have spent years clamoring for environmental justice.