BILL NUMBER:  AB 2237
  VETOED	DATE: 09/24/1998




To the Members of the California Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill No. 2237 without my signature.

This bill would require the California Environmental Protection
Agency, the Resources Agency, and the Department of Health Services
to incorporate so-called "environmental racism" or "environmental
justice" issues in their selection criteria for environmental loans
and grants.  The bill would also require those agencies to place
information on environmental loans and grants on the Internet in a
form more easily understandable to prospective applicants.

While the goal of making better information more easily available is
laudable, the bill is an ill-advised attempt to shift the primary
focus of a simple grant or loan program aimed at improving the
environment from an evaluation based on objective physical standards
to one based upon a subjective assessment of socio-economic impact of
pollution.

The evidence indicates that communities with the highest exposure to
environmental risks are receiving State loans and grants.  The State
environmental laws do not provide separate, less stringent
requirements, or lower standards in low-income communities.

Cordially,





                                                       PETE WILSON