Today Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) and Senator Richard Alarcon (D-San Fernando Valley) announce the formation of the Coalition to Explore the Development of a New Regional Airport in Palmdale.  This coalition is made up of San Fernando Valley leaders and will be focused on developing Palmdale as Southern California’s new regional airport.  

 

"All of the Antelope Valley leaders have worked hard for many years to develop and expand the Palmdale airport, and now leaders in the San Fernando Valley are joining the effort for Palmdale to become the newest regional airport for Southern California," said Runner.

 

At the first Coalition to Explore the Development of a New Regional Airport meeting, the Southern California Association of Governments made presentations on the "Role and Importance of Aviation in Southern California" and "Southern California’s Looming Aviation Crisis".  The coalition members then discussed several topics key to the creation of a new regional airport such as infrastructure, financial incentives for airlines’ relocations, and legislation.  There was also a serious discussion about the benefits of a new regional airport in Palmdale to the North Los Angeles region.

 

 

 

"I greatly appreciate the leadership of Senator Alarcon on the Palmdale airport as it is so important not only to San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley residents but to all Southern Californians," said Runner. Senator Alarcón says, "This will be a massive undertaking, but the potential benefits are many. This project has the potential to spur job creation in our area, both during the construction phase and after. A new regional airport in Palmdale will also make it possible for more San Fernando and Antelope valley area residents to live closer to their jobs and that, coupled with the reduced travel to and from

LAX, will reduced traffic congestion along the 405 Freeway.  In short, this project is good for our economy and it will create jobs while reducing traffic and pollution."

 

The next meeting will be held in January 2007.