Which Way, L.A.?
County Steps in to Speed Exide Clean-up
For 30 years, Exide was allowed to recycle lead batteries in Vernon without a full permit. Thousands of children in surrounding neighborhoods appear to have been exposed to lead poison. Now the state agency that stood by while environmental crimes were committed is accused of being lax about making sure there’s a cleanup. We get an update.
By Warren Olney • • 25m ListenFor 30 years, Exide was allowed to recycle lead batteries in Vernon without a full permit. Thousands of children in surrounding neighborhoods appear to have been exposed to lead poison. Now the state agency that stood by while environmental crimes were committed is accused of being lax about making sure there’s a cleanup. We get an update.
Also on the program, the battle between Democrats and Republicans to find the billions of dollars to make up for deferred maintenance of California's crumbling infrastructure.
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In this episode
2 storiesCounty Steps in to Speed Exide Clean-up
In Boyle Heights, East LA and other neighborhoods, a company called Exide recycled lead batteries without a full permit from the State Department of Toxic Substances Control. That went on for three decades until last year, when federal officials forced Exide to admit it committed environmental crimes.
Read the story13 minCalifornia's Crumbling Roads
California's transportation infrastructure is falling apart after years of deferred maintenance. Governor Brown called a special session of the legislature to deal with the problem, but the Assembly and Senate have left Sacramento and gone home — without taking action.
Read the story13 min
