| June 23, 2005
Enhancements Improve Access to Air Pollution Information
The region’s air quality agency significantly enhanced its website this
month by adding a major new section in Spanish, a database on air pollution
emissions from thousands of facilities and webcasts of the agency’s
Governing Board meetings.
“We are committed to providing information that will assist the public in
their understanding of air quality issues and policies,” said Barry
Wallerstein, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District. “Providing access to air quality information in Spanish, as well
as facility emissions data and live webcasts of our Board meetings will help
the public to get involved with us in the fight for cleaner air.”
By clicking the “Español” button on AQMD’s home page at
www.aqmd.gov, visitors now can link to more than 30 pages of information
in Spanish about AQMD programs, small business assistance and frequently
asked questions.
The information in Spanish includes a wide array of topics from how the
air quality regulatory process works to environmental justice to air quality
permitting, enforcement and compliance. Small businesses can get technical
assistance and learn about financial aid and grant funding available.
Information is also available on the Governing Board, Hearing Board and many
other AQMD programs.
For the first time, a link on the website’s main Spanish page allows the
public to send e-mail inquiries to the AQMD in Spanish. An AQMD
representative will respond to the e-mail in Spanish.
AQMD will continue to update its website in the coming months with
additional information and brochures in Spanish.
The Spanish component of AQMD’s website complements the agency’s existing
hotline available for anyone wishing to speak with an AQMD representative in
Spanish. The toll-free number is 1-800-876-3666.
Other recent enhancements to AQMD’s website include:
- A user-friendly database that provides public access to reported air
pollution emissions from the 3,000 highest-emitting facilities in the
four-county area for smog-forming emissions. The database can be used to
locate a facility by name or AQMD identification number, street name,
city, or ZIP code. Lists of facilities by city or ZIP code are also
available. Search results will provide reported annual emissions
information for smog-forming and toxic air pollutants by facility. Access
to the facility emissions database is available at
http://www.aqmd.gov/aer/DataInquiry.html; and
- Webcasts of AQMD Board meetings. Beginning July 8, the public can
watch AQMD Board meetings live via the Internet. A video and audio
archive of the past 12 months of Board meetings is available now. For
more information and to view the webcasts, go to
http://www.aqmd.gov/aqmd/webcast/webcast_calendar.htm.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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