Residents of a Polluted California Town Pinned Hopes on New State Rules. They’re Still Waiting

Residents of a polluted California town pinned hopes on new state rules. They’re still waiting

Residents of Kettleman City face severe pollution from nearby farms, a composting facility, freeway traffic, and a hazardous waste landfill. A decade ago, California passed a law to protect such communities from cumulative pollution impacts. However, the Department of Toxic…

Residents of a polluted California town pinned hopes on new state rules. They're still waiting

In summary A 2015 law required the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to overhaul its permitting process to consider how multiple sources of pollution impacts health. Advocates now say the overdue rules aren’t protective enough. Residents of Kettleman City live surrounded by pollution.   Farms spray pesticides on almond and pistachio trees in this farmtown. A composting facility handles human sewage waste nearby. Particulate matter and…