The Valley Air Pollution Control District is trying to get the feds to ease up on air quality standards.

At a forum Monday hosted by Kern Citizens for Sustainable Government, air district Director Seyed Sadredrin said the current 80-percent reduction targets for ozone and particulates in our area are unrealistic. He says they have been asking business owners to oppose the rules.

Sadredin believes the Environmental Protection Agency could slap us with more than a billion dollars in fines if we do not meet those goals within seven years.

Kelli Forsch and SuzG