South Coast Air Quality Board Fires Executive Officer
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Air quality management officials voted Friday to fire a long-time executive officer over protests from various environmental groups and local elected officials.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District's governing board announced its decision Friday to part ways with Barry Wallerstein after voting 7-6 behind closed doors.
After finalizing the decision to fire Wallerstein, the board appointed its chief financial officer, Michael O'Kelly, to serve as the interim executive officer.
Groups such as Coalition For Clean Air and other local environmental activists have largely supported Wallerstein, who was named Executive Officer in 1997 and first joined the board in 1984.
Under Wallerstein, the number of days where the air quality exceeded the 2008 federal ozone standard dropped by one third, according to the Coalition For Clean Air.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says a new majority on the governing board put Wallerstein's job on the chopping block, and says he fears the termination would roll back air quality regulations Wallerstein worked to establish.
"Under Barry and his staff's impressive leadership, SCAQMD has become a world leader in air quality management, and I will do everything possible to ensure future leadership upholds that reputation and resists rolling back existing regulations that protect the air we breathe," he said. "We must stay on ambitious path forward that prioritizes the health of our communities, creates green jobs and businesses and advances zero-emission vehicles."
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