An environmental group says the recently passed California budget delays legislation designed to protect public health. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has the story.
The Center for Biological Diversity says the final budget delays a plan to reduce air pollution from construction and farm vehicles.
The Center's Climate Policy Director, Brian Nowicki, says a California Air Board rule to reduce emissions from off-road diesel vehicles is a casualty of the budget deal.
Nowicki: The rule that was set to go in place had taken two years with public hearings and discussions inside air board to set up and was set to avert 4,000 deaths by 2030 and save up to $26 billion in health costs.
Nowicki says the exhaust from diesel construction equipment causes serious air pollution and health problems.
He calls it "bizarre" that the two Republican legislators that pushed for the delay in the rule represent the Central Valley.
Nowicki says the area has some of the worst air quality and diesel pollution in California.
Ed Joyce, KPBS News.