With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Large Southern California Polluters Will Have To Start Paying Steep Fees For Emissions Under New Rule
An aerial view shows Marathon Petroleum Corp's Los Angeles Refinery in Carson, California. It's the state's largest producer of gasoline.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images North America
)
Topline:
The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Friday passed a regulation that will put large polluters like refineries on the hook for steep fees if they fail to meet federal ozone standards. The fees could generate tens of millions of dollars a year.
Why it matters: Large stationary polluters have avoided paying the fees they'd normally be charged practically every year when the region fails to meet federal ozone standards — the result of the SCAQMD failing to hold them to account under the Clean Air Act. In response to a lawsuit, they’re changing their approach. The hope is that this could incentivize those businesses to clean up their emissions, which often affect poorer areas of the region.
Why now: Last year, a lawsuit was filed against the SCAQMD to get them to hold polluters to account. A settlement was reached in February.
Sponsored message
What's next: Air regulators can start collecting the fees in 2026.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
