BILL NUMBER: AB 2042 VETOED DATE: 09/29/2004 To the Members of the California State Assembly: I am returning Assembly Bill 2042 without my signature. Improving the quality of our air is a priority of my Administration. Through the budget and other legislative efforts we have committed millions of dollars to clean air programs that are assured to make significant improvements in air quality. I urge the South Coast Air Quality Management District to ensure that port-affected communities will receive a greater than proportional share of funds for these pollution reduction incentive programs. This bill establishes 2004 as a ceiling for air emissions from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The bill requires the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the Air Resources Board (ARB) and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, to develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) implementing emission control measures for operations at the ports. However, this bill will not reduce pollution in any way. We need to focus our scarce resources on substantive, prompt action that will make real progress toward our shared air quality goals. Ports and federally regulated sources of air pollution must do more to reduce emissions in order for California to meet its mandates and to reduce negative air impacts in the communities in which these facilities operate. In order to improve air quality and protect the health of the residents, it is imperative that an innovative program including financial and regulatory incentives be developed and implemented to reduce air pollution from the ports. I am directing the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the ARB to work with the ports, the railroads, other goods movement facilities, local air districts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and local communities to develop such a program for our ports throughout the state. This program should build on the regulatory program already mapped out by the ARB and the U.S. EPA. As most of the pollution is generated by federally regulated sources, I urge the federal government to provide the necessary incentives and regulations that will result in early reduction of pollution from the ports and related goods movement. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger