City Council

7.7 Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) Petition for Review\nof US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Decision\nRecommendation:\nAuthorize and direct each City’s respective staff to work with the AVAQMD,\nincluding entering into a common interest/joint defense agreement with AVAQMD\nregarding its filing a petition for review to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals\nchallenging the EPA’s decision.\nThe AVAQMD is the local agency with the primary responsibility for the control of\nnon-vehicular sources of air pollution throughout the Antelope Valley. The\nAVAQMD’s Governing Board is comprised of two members of the Palmdale City\nCouncil, two members of the Lancaster City Council, two members appointed by\nthe 5th District Supervisor of Los Angeles County, and one public member. The\nAVAQMD’s mission is to protect the people and the environment of the Antelope\nValley from the effects of air pollution through developing and implementing\nprograms and regulations to improve air quality. On July 3, 2023, the US\nEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its “Air Plan Approval and Limited\nApproval-Limited Disapproval; California; Antelope Valley Air Quality\nManagement District; District; Stationary Source Permits; New Source Review”\n(Final Rule) 88 Fed. Reg. 42621-01 (July 3, 2023). This EPA Final Rule\ndisapproves AVAQMD’s longstanding practice with regard to New Source Review\nand, if it should be upheld, would have dramatic impacts on industry throughout\nthe Antelope Valley, including the aerospace industry. The AVAQMD Board of\nDirectors has authorized the filing of a Petition for Review with the Ninth Circuit\nCourt of Appeals challenging the rule.