Alternative to Deukmejian’s Toxic Waste Plan Backed

In a rare display of unity, environmentalists and a statewide business coalition joined forces Tuesday to back a Democratic proposal for managing toxic wastes that rivals Gov. George Deukmejian’s controversial plan.

The Sierra Club and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance gave their endorsements to a bill by Sen. Art Torres (D-South Pasadena) that would create an expanded environmental affairs agency to coordinate management of hazardous wastes.

Unlike the governor’s plan, Torres’ bill would leave intact the authority of state and regional water boards, which have played a key role in protecting water quality.

‘Reasonable Compromise’

“It’s a good, reasonable compromise,” said Peter J. Fearey, president of the business group, which includes among its members oil companies and manufacturers that produce toxic wastes and would be directly affected by a reorganization plan.

Deukmejian’s proposal to create a Cabinet-level department to manage toxic wastes was rejected by the Assembly earlier this month because of fears that it would weaken regulation of hazardous pollutants.

The governor’s plan, which could not be amended by the Legislature, was also plagued by a series of errors that would have required correction by a 62-page companion bill.

Deukmejian has said he will resubmit a corrected version of the plan to the Legislature and ask for its quick approval.

To accomplish that, Deukmejian press secretary Larry Thomas said Tuesday, the governor will also seek passage of separate urgency legislation that would cut in half the 60-day period that the Legislature has to consider the plan.

“Since they’re already familiar with the plan, we would ask that they would speed up the time for the approval process,” Deukmejian told reporters.

However, Torres, who also attended the press conference, said it is unlikely the Legislature will grant the governor’s request.

Michael Paparian, a spokesman for the Sierra Club, said his organization supports Torres’ proposal because it would strengthen enforcement by giving one agency the authority to control “air, land and water.”

“It is not often we are able to work with industry representatives,” Paparian noted.

Fearey said his coalition supports the Democratic alternative because it provides a more rational way of organizing the new department.

Torres’ bill, Fearey said, is similar to a proposal put forward last year by then-Environmental Affairs Secretary Gordon Duffy. It was rejected by the governor.