Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
Last Friday, the Southern California agency in charge of managing smog and pollution in one of the worst regions in the country when it comes to foul air, voted in a new leader.
The Air Quality Management District, or AQMD in Southern California, voted unanimously to put Wayne Nastri in charge of the district's goal to implement the most ambitious plan to address air pollution in decades.
Former head of the EPA enforcement on the West Coast under George W. Bush, Nastri also worked as an industry consultant and lobbyist, which raises concerns for many environmentalist groups concerned that the new executive will be inclined toward business interests in his new position.
Nastri's appointment comes about a month after the AQMD board sparked controversy when it fired the agency’s previous head, Barry Wallerstein, who held the position for over 18 years.
Sharon McNary, who covers infrastructure for KPCC, joined us to talk more about Wanye Nastri's history and what he has to bring to the table when it comes to effective pollution regulation.