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In recent years, Baker’s facility on Bandini Boulevard next to the L.A. River converted animal remains collected from meat processing plants, grocery stores, and butcher shops into pet food and other household items.Photographs taken by AQMD Inspector Dillon Harris during multiple inspections of Baker's rendering facility in Vernon in 2022.
Community members and elected officials celebrated the facility’s closure as a win. But, soon after, Baker responded with a lawsuit seeking $200 million from the agency. Baker, argued that it was not in violation of the odor mitigation rule and that it was treated unfairly. Baker also demanded that the shutdown order be tossed out and sought to bar air regulators from shutting it down in the future.
AQMD will be reimbursed $35,000 for its attorney’s fees and Baker’s lawsuit will be dismissed, according to the statement.In addition to rendering animals, the Vernon facility has been used to process trap grease and wastewater. Trap grease comes from devices that capture fats, oil and grease in restaurant kitchens, to keep them from entering the sewer system.