Governor Newsom Vetoes Air Quality Bill

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 674, a bill aimed at enhancing air pollution monitoring around California's petroleum refineries, citing concerns about costs and local control. The bill would have expanded monitoring requirements to include biofuel facilities and required communities to be notified when pollution levels exceeded certain thresholds. Proponents, including environmental groups and Senator Lena Gonzalez, criticized the veto as detrimental to efforts for cleaner air, arguing that existing measures are insufficient and inconsistent across regions. Newsom maintained that local air quality districts are already addressing air pollution effectively and that the bill's financial implications could burden the state. The veto highlights ongoing tensions between environmental advocacy and industry interests in California's regulatory landscape. Despite the setback, advocates plan to continue pushing for stronger air quality protections for affected communities.