Mayor Riordan’s Clean Air Plan

In the race to meet federal court-imposed mandates to develop a long-term regional plan to clean our air, every serious alternative should be considered.

Your coverage (Aug. 10) of the city’s alternative to the region’s Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) gives the false impression that I am seeking to delay implementation of court-ordered mandates to clean up our air. I am not.

I have joined the City Council in seeking to delay by 30 days the vote on exactly what those regulations will be.

The City of Los Angeles has developed a framework that will allow us to have clean air without the loss of jobs. Our mission in putting forth an alternative plan is not to create controversy, and certainly not to delay the fight for clean air.

The alternative plan will achieve the federally-mandated ozone standard, but at an annual cost up to $3.2 billion less than the AQMP.

By mandating use of current technology, our plan provides greater certainty that clean air will actually be achieved.

The alternative plan will allow Southern California industries, including our international port and airport, to retain their competitiveness in the global marketplace.

We are not looking to have a showdown with the South Coast Air Quality Management District board. Rather, the millions of people who live and work in Southern California will be better served if we all work together toward our common goal of clean air. I am confident that when the SCAQMD has a chance to thoroughly review the data we have presented, it will find merit in our proposal. It cleans the air, meets federal clean air mandates, saves $3.2 billion in the process, and will protect an estimated 57,000 jobs.

The decision on the AQMP is huge. The impact of the approved plan will be felt for generations to come. Our plan deserves serious review and consideration.

RICHARD J. RIORDAN

Mayor of Los Angeles