Local News in Brief : Santa Ana : Hearing Scheduled on Smog-Reduction Plan

A 20-year plan proposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District to reduce smog in Orange and neighboring counties will be discussed at an Oct. 27 public hearing at the County Hall of Administration, 10 Civic Center Drive.

The hearing, which will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m., is sponsored by the Coalition for Clean Air, a Santa Monica-based group pressing for stronger measures to improve the region’s air quality.

Coalition officials said the hearing is part of a major effort in Orange County to build support for the AQMD plan, which would establish new emission requirements to bring the region into compliance with federal air quality standards by the year 2007. The coalition-backed plan will be up for approval by the AQMD board in December.

“Nowhere else in the nation are so many people exposed to so much (air) pollution,” coalition program director Mark Aramowitz said.

The hearing will give those concerned about smog a way to “let their elected official know they support the strongest air quality management plan possible,” said Kristine Kerenyi, a coalition spokeswoman.