San Diego air quality regulators can now skip public comment on some permits
What happened
US environmental regulators are proposing to approve changes to how San Diego County manages air pollution permits. These changes would allow the county to update its public notification rules, making them consistent with federal requirements.
Why it matters
The Clean Air Act requires public input on permits that affect air quality. This change means San Diego County can now streamline its process for certain permits, potentially reducing the time it takes for businesses to get approval. It also means fewer opportunities for the public to comment on some local air quality decisions.
The signal
Watch whether the number of permits processed by San Diego County increases, or if public challenges to permits decrease, in the next 12 months.