$71.5M for zero-emission school busses + $118.8M for ag equipment replacement + petroleum refinery amendments
Good morning🌞 San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Board is meeting this morning at 9! I’ll be live-tweeting this meeting for @FresnoLand. My 2nd favorite city in CA (Bakersfield) is joining the party! 😎
Agenda/Cast/Info: https://www.valleyair.org/Board_meetings/GB/governing_board_schedules.htm https://t.co/Dqk2VijyLP
10:41 AM Oct 20, 2022 CDT
Zoom info to participate - https://us06web.zoom.us/s/81140009682
Webinar ID: 811 4000 9682
Password: 479061 https://t.co/G17qZAmgEq
Stream went down, but should be live again shortly. Here’s more information about the Governing Board for SJ Valley Air Pollution Control District. https://t.co/Up9dGUUDPn
9:03 and we’re live!
http://www.valleyair.org/webstreaming/webcast-meetings.htm https://t.co/3YfpEFkEJZ
Roll call taken and pledge of allegiance complete. First public comment from the web. 3 minute limit. https://t.co/wzm7qFXZRV
First speaker, Janet, says that board needs to focus on climate change. Says that first step is stopping and then reversing.
Second speaker, Connie, says board is doing great work for climate change and thanks them.
No more public comments from web or cities.
Item 6: Report on District Citizens Advisory Committee activities.
Item 7: STAR recognition. (Service, teamwork, attitude, respect). https://t.co/tQaz9y6oVA
Item 8: Samir Sheikh holds up award for Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies’ Best Practice Award. https://t.co/EwU0SrS0Bi
Item 9 for the $71.5 million in Volkswagen mitigation trust funding for the 2nd phase of statewide incentive program. https://t.co/6cG7CX82Hl
Todd details past program activity before moving on to decisions regarding second phase of state funding. https://t.co/0BLEPK4MtD
In response to busses in rural areas, Todd says current electric bus has 100 mile range and each iteration is increasing in range. https://t.co/oWKELTvwzA
Samir says there will be more state and federal funding coming. He adds that they’ve been considering challenges with rural areas and range issues. https://t.co/p4xMlwBPtQ
Supervisor Wheeler says Madera could use funding, but doesn’t think he can compete for funding with districts state-wide. https://t.co/dXT90s4JGt
Two public comments from Fresno.
1: Money shouldn’t go to private schools. Urges oversight on fund use.
2: Resident from mountains says it’s a great program.
Moving on to Item 10
ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE $118,800,000 IN STATE FARMER PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT AND AUTHORIZE NECESSARY RESOURCE ENHANCEMENTS https://t.co/p1vOdPWXPY
Todd says equipment costs have been rising as they learned in the electric bus discussion. https://t.co/ZhreOsBs0V
To conclude presentation, amendments are proposed and there is an explanation as to how public feedback was obtained.
2 recommendations are made. https://t.co/W5VqNpZrNu
Web speaker Cynthia says health effects of living near refineries are hurting low-income residents and people of color. Says regulations helps protect public from emissions. Urges district to ensure requirements of warning community and taking action to protect their health. https://t.co/ph59k1FXi1
Motion passes for Item 11.
Moving to item 12 to appoint AD HOC Governing Board Subcommittee to nominate candidates for the 2023 governing board chair and vice-chair. https://t.co/bWp0VaoUmW
Committee members are appointed. Mendes, Bessinger, Lewis, Pareira, and Shuklian.
Public comment in Fresno. Says this program to reduce burning is heartwarming. https://t.co/YbHlRZsG9t
Item 13/14 passed.
Executive director makes brief comments. Moving to last item - governing board member comments.
Mayor Preciado thanks public participation for efforts in reducing pollution. https://t.co/KrOOyXVLPf
Meeting moves to closed session and that’s it for this week. Thanks for following along🙂