Watch CBS News

SoCal Air District Considers Emission Credits

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The governing board for Southern California's anti-smog agency is expected to consider a plan that would allow companies to pollute by purchasing emission credits.

The Clean Air Act requires new sources of air pollution to offset their emissions by reducing emissions elsewhere in an effort to prevent overall air quality from getting worse. The act allows for a pollution reduction market where a company can reduce pollution and sell those credits to other facilities.

Previous efforts to adopt the plan resulted in lawsuits from environmental groups who continue to raise concerns about how the agency develops its air credits.

The issue is being taken up Friday by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which covers Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.