Environmental reviews sought for new stadium

LOS ANGELES A coalition of 44 groups including the Sierra Club and the National Resources Defense Council sent a message to California lawmakers Tuesday, urging them not to grant /*Staples Center*/ owner /*AEG*/ an exemption from state environmental laws to build a football venue close by.

A lobbyist for AEG is reportedly approaching state Assembly members to discuss exempting a stadium from the California Environmental Quality Act.

Michael Roth, a spokesman for AEG says the project is in its early stages, and all alternatives are being researched. He said he could not comment on any specific actions the company is taking.

Nine months ago, /*Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger*/ signed a bill allowing the construction of a 75,000-seat stadium on an undeveloped hillside in the city of Industry.

The bill nullified a lawsuit filed by residents in the nearby city of Walnut over the project's environmental impact.

AP contributed to this report.

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