Critics of air summit call for more input

But the 'Operation Clean Air' coalition believes voluntary actions will work the best.

By Mark Grossi
The Fresno Bee

(Updated Friday, April 4, 2003, 5:36 AM)

A coalition dominated by industry and public officials is launching an innovative attack this month on the San Joaquin Valley's dirty air, but skeptical community and medical activists call the campaign a distraction from real cleanup plans.

"Operation Clean Air" will kick off April 23 at the Fresno Convention Center, gathering business, political and some health leaders at the inaugural summit. People will discuss voluntary ways of clearing the air in the Valley, the nation's second-worst place to breathe.

Coalition leaders -- including Fresno Mayor Alan Autry and Fresno County Supervisor Bob Waterston -- already have traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask federal officials for millions to help pay for the bold ideas.

Officials say they think the air can be cleared with a major dose of voluntary action while minimizing rules that might repress the Valley's already suffering economy.

"We don't think you have to choose between clean air and economic growth," said Autry. "We can do it if we get everyone involved."

But critics say this is a carefully orchestrated attempt to make it appear that all Valley interests are involved. Many groups, such as the Sierra Club, Latino Issues Forum and the Association for Irritated Residents, were left out of the process.

They say the effort is being sold as comprehensive approach, and they fear it will distract from the Valley's legally required cleanup. They say other cities, such as Houston and Los Angeles, attempted similar efforts driven by industries and public officials and had little success.

"It is a fragmented process that prevents public input and diverts attention from plans being put together by the [San Joaquin Valley] Air Pollution Control District," said the Rev. Walt Perry of the Fresno Metro Ministry. "This process is not inclusive. We need to enforce the Clean Air Act."

The local air district has struggled for a decade to devise cleanup plans that will make the Valley's air healthy to breathe. Years after previous plans failed to achieve standards, the district is again attempting to craft two major plans -- one to clean up particle pollution and one for smog.

The Valley now faces tough deadlines, expensive sanctions on businesses and possible loss of federal road-building money. Yet, officials point out, the local air district does not control about 60% of the smog-making sources -- cars, trucks and other vehicles, which are regulated by the state and federal government.

The Valley coalition suggested federal officials turn the Valley into a special "clean air empowerment zone," focusing the nation's innovation here. For instance, when the federal government offers support for fuel cell development, the Valley will be at the front of the line for such support and technology.

The group asked the federal government for $7 million to install clean-fuel facilities, such as compressed natural gas filling stations. The money also would help pay for operating biomass-energy plants, which would reduce open-field farm waste burning.

In the future, business, industry, residents and local agencies would receive money and tax incentives to develop voluntary pollution-reduction measures. Officials said the idea is to involve all sectors of society.

For health and environmental interests, the coalition lists the American Lung Association and Tree Fresno among its steering committee members.

But those two organizations don't represent all interests, the activists said. Christine Foster, representing the Tulare County Asthma Coalition, said she would like to see a forum bringing together residents.

"I thought the process would include a lot of people," she said. "I don't see the regular Joe."

Sierra Club activist Kevin Hall, who has been involved in several lawsuits over the Valley's air, said he was excited about the effort last September when it was announced. He asked to become part of the steering committee that was forming goals and principals for the coalition.

Instead of being included on the steering committee, the coalition contacted Hall a few months later for his involvement after the goals and principals had been decided.

The coalition decided industry groups, organizations and agencies should make suggestions about voluntarily trimming pollution in their own areas, not others. For instance, the medical community would be discussing ways to cut back pollution at hospitals, but not at power plants.

That isolates and protects the larger pollution sources, Hall said.

"Some of the very same people who have been undermining the Clean Air Act on behalf of industry for the last 12 years were on the steering committee," he said. "Why not balance the committee while the coalition is still a blank slate?"

Coalition leaders, who said they tried to involve the Sierra Club, bristle at Hall's criticism.

"Kevin Hall was focused on disrupting the process," Waterston said. "We don't need someone who is not a team player."

The reporter can be reached at mgrossi@fresnobee.com or 441-6316.

Critics say the Sierra Club, Latino Issues Forum and Association for Irritated Residents were deliberately kept off the coalition.

IF YOU GO

What: Operation Clean Air, inaugural summit

When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 23

Where: Fresno Convention Center, 848 M St., Fresno

Fee: $45 per person