reno, nv speech in front of legislature

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alifornia is known for being environmentally friendly and is considered a leader in environmentalism. However, one man believes the state’s drive to be in the forefront in that endeavor will lead to its economic downfall. Jeff Lassle, a Fallbrook resident and former Environmental Protection Agency scientist, believes that manufacturing companies both large and small are being forced out of California because environmental boards, like the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the South Coast Air Quality District (SCAQD), have gone overboard by creating regulations that have little benefit to the environment. One such company forced out of California after being fined millions of dollars was Patmont Motor Werks, manufacturers of the small motorized GoPed scooter. Patmont, a small, family-owned business company based out of Pleasanton, had prided itself on being a company that had not moved overseas to produce its products to take advantage of low labor costs and cheaper production. Today, Patmont is still family-owned but was forced out of California to Nevada. “e owner was heartbroken,” said Lassle. “e CARB fined them millions of dollars for air pollution.” Ironically, the scooter company is considered eco-friendly because it provides an alternative to driving automobiles. e company also donates a portion of its profit to the Arbor Day Foundation. Gregg Industries, an El Monte-based iron casting manufacturer in the industrial, automotive and truck industry, also closed its doors recently and laid off 600,000 employees because it could not pay the fines that piled against them after the SCAQD detected an “untraceable smell” in their general area. California’s forest products and furniture industries are next to be affected by the actions of California’s environmental leaders, Lassle said. At an April 24 meeting in Reno, NV, California Senate and Assembly members conducted Environmentally friendly state, Andrea Verdin STAFF WRITER Paul Gallaher STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER economically poor decision 14

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Page 1: Reno, NV speech in front of Legislature

alifornia is known for being environmentally friendly and is considered a leader in environmentalism. However, one man believes the state’s drive to be in the forefront in that endeavor will lead to its economic downfall.

Jeff Lassle, a Fallbrook resident and former Environmental Protection Agency scientist, believes that manufacturing companies both large and small are being forced out of California because environmental boards, like the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the South Coast Air Quality District (SCAQD), have gone overboard by creating regulations that have little benefit to the environment.

One such company forced out of California after being fined millions of dollars was Patmont Motor Werks, manufacturers of the small motorized GoPed scooter.

Patmont, a small, family-owned business company based out of Pleasanton, had prided itself on being a company that had not moved overseas to produce its products to take advantage of low

labor costs and cheaper production.Today, Patmont is still family-owned but was

forced out of California to Nevada.“The owner was heartbroken,” said Lassle.

“The CARB fined them millions of dollars for air pollution.”

Ironically, the scooter company is considered eco-friendly because it provides an alternative to driving automobiles. The company also donates a portion of its profit to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Gregg Industries, an El Monte-based iron casting manufacturer in the industrial, automotive and truck industry, also closed its doors recently and laid off 600,000 employees because it could not pay the fines that piled against them after the SCAQD detected an “untraceable smell” in their general area.

California’s forest products and furniture industries are next to be affected by the actions of California’s environmental leaders, Lassle said.

At an April 24 meeting in Reno, NV, California Senate and Assembly members conducted

Environmentally friendly state,

Andrea VerdinSTAFF WRITER

Paul GallaherSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

economically poor decision

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