$75 Million to Clean Up EXIDE Lead Contamination in East Los Angeles and Surrounding Communities Moves Forward
LOS ANGELES, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), is proud to announce that the Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom, with support from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, approved an additional $74.5 million in the State Budget for expedited cleanup of lead contamination from the now closed Exide Battery Recycling Plant in Vernon, CA. Additionally, Governor Newsom signed AB 142, authored by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), into law. AB 142 provides additional ongoing funding to clean up contaminated communities across California by increasing the manufacturer battery fee.
“Disenfranchised communities have suffered from environmental harms and injustice impacting the health of our families and children for far too long,” said Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles). “Toxic waste and contamination caused by lack of oversight needs to managed and cleaned up. With AB 142, which I am proud to co-author, there will no longer be the excuse that the funds don’t exist. This is about justice for our most vulnerable residents regardless of economic status or where they live.”