POLLUTION IN THE VALLEY
(Wednesday) The Central Valley of California has the third worst air pollution problem in the country -- right behind LA (where it's better than it was 20 years ago) and Phoenix (where it's worse than it was 20 years ago). About 25% of our smog producing emissions and 50% of the dust and particulates are the result of relatively unrestricted practices in the dairy and farming industry. Tomorrow that all changes. The farmers aren't terribly happy about it but I suspect that deep inside they've known all along that the 21st century would catch up with them. It's a good thing -- even though it will be painful for everyone -- including the consumer who will end up paying more for ag products.

My guess is that the rest of our air problems have to do with local driving and perhaps even more so the industrial drift and smog that blows over from the San Franciso Bay Area. The Valley acts as a catch basin and the further south you go the worse it seems to get (fewer delta breezes to clean things out).