Summary: Initiated on August 15, 2023, the lawsuit involves four environmental advocacy groups: East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, People's Collective for Environmental Justice, Sierra Club, and Communities for A Better Environment. These groups represent Californian communities negatively impacted by ozone pollution. The defendants in the case are the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board. The plaintiffs assert that the South Coast region of California, encompassing two-thirds of Los Angeles County, Orange County, southwestern San Bernardino County, and western Riverside County, has been grappling with severe air pollution for over two decades. This region holds the dubious distinction of being the nation's worst for ozone pollution, resulting in elevated rates of asthma and other health issues among its inhabitants. According to the lawsuit, section 185 of the federal Clean Air Act mandates that regions failing to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone must implement compulsory pollution fees on the largest stationary pollution sources. The defendants, however, have allegedly neglected to establish such a fee rule and to submit a compliant State Implementation Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency as required by the Clean Air Act. The plaintiffs contend that this neglect has caused damage to their health, professional, educational, and economic interests, as well as their enjoyment of the environment. They are seeking a court order to mandate the defendants to take measures to improve air quality in areas breaching national air quality standards. Additionally, they are seeking a court declaration of this violation and injunctions directing the defendants to revise the State Implementation Plan to include the fee program and submit it to the Environmental Protection Agency. The plaintiffs are seeking both declaratory and injunctive relief, with the aim of enforcing their rights under the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. They are also seeking to recover their litigation costs, including attorney and expert witness fees, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. The case is currently being adjudicated in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.