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Ports Investment Bill [SB 974] Approved by Assembly After years of work by cities, residents, labor organizations, business groups, health advocates and environmentalists, SB 974 was approved today by the California State Assembly with a 45 to 23 vote. With the upcoming expected concurrence of the Senate, it will reach Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for final approval.
State Air Board Commits to Demands from Clean Air Advocates and Urged by clean air advocates and the state's largest janitors' union, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) said they will address smog-forming emissions and toxics from cleaning products at their November 26, 2008, hearing. Read the Complete Press Release
Taking the Danger Out of Cleaning Products Clean Air Advocates and Janitors' Union Call on State to Reduce Toxics and Smog-forming Emissions from Cleaning Products Consumer products, including cleaning products, are expected to be the largest source of smog-forming emissions in the state by 2020 - surpassing cars! Many of these products contain high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to California's smog and are associated with toxics (cancer-causing chemicals). Read the Complete Press Release
Press Conference Urges Legislature and Governor to Pass Landmark Ports Investment Bill "We have a crisis on our hands. When an estimated ten people die prematurely each day due to pollution associated with ports and freight movement, that is a crisis. This bill [SB 974- Lowenthal] is a solution to this crisis," said Martin Schlageter, addressing the media at a press conference today in support of the Ports Investment Bill. Leaders from the nonprofit, business, political and transportation communities joined together in support of the Ports Investment Bill [SB 974-Lowenthal]. The press conference was held in front of the historic San Gabriel Mission, where the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority plans to put railroad tracks in a trench to separate them from the street and reduce congestion through the San Gabriel Valley. SB 974 allots 50% of the more than $400 million in projected revenues collected to fund grade-separation projects like this one, throughout Southern California. Read the Complete Press Release Celebrate Clean Air On June 20th CCA celebrates its most successful fundraiser, the 2008 California Air Quality Awards, honoring California leaders who have made exemplary contributions to combat global warming. Honoring: Join Us! Tickets are $150/each Thank you to all our event sponsors: Platinum Gold Silver Bronze
“The reality is that this cannot be done by one person. Having a team is necessary, and it is our obligation to bring new voices to the environmental movement. Such work and engaging Latinos in California and eventually across the country is important to me,” said Mendoza to Latino Leaders writer, Francis Lora.
Protecting California’s Communities from Global Warming Impacts: AB 32 Concept Paper
Currently the ARB is seeking recommendations on how to make the AB 32 implementation plan more effective. The plan must be adopted by January 1, 2009. CCA recommends that the ARB include the following three important factors into their 'scoping plan':
To read more about CCA's recommendations on the implementation of AB 32, Click here.
San Pedro (April 17, 2008) – Program Associate, Candice Kim delivered a powerful speech to a crowd of more than 2,000 people last night at the culmination rally for the three day march “From Hollywood to the Docks.” Over the course of the journey an estimated 200 labor union workers marched from Hollywood to the Port of Los Angeles in support of unionized labor throughout Los Angeles.
Other speakers at the event included: labor leader Maria Elena Durazo, Councilwoman Janis Hahn, Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa Jr. and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
News Flash Candice Kim gives remarks about the Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Trucks Plan. The video was compiled by the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports.
Leading California clean air advocates encourage California’s elected officials for tougher clean air legislation SACRAMENTO (March 21, 2008) - The staff and board of directors of the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) will take the state Capitol by storm on Wednesday, March 26th, advocating for two bills, SB 974 and SB 240. Both aim to reduce air pollution and protect public health throughout California. CCA is at the forefront of California’s clean air initiatives and seeks legislators’ support of strong measures that will reduce air pollutants and the associated health risks. “Our hope is to inform elected officials on the harmful effects air pollution has on the health of Californians so that they will support SB 974 and SB 240,” said Coalition for Clean Air CEO, Alberto Mendoza. Read the Complete Press Release News Flash
This program is a critical step in reducing the harmful impacts of port truck pollution on our environment, public health and the health of port truck drivers. It represents a major milestone in the years-long effort to address major sources of pollution at the port. CCA has been there every step of the way and has worked hard for the development and passage of an effective plan to clean up port trucks.
(Sacramento) Noted expert in environmental health and the former Deputy Secretary for Science and Environmental Justice for the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA) has joined our staff. Dr. Shankar Prasad will serve as an Executive Fellow for CCA, supporting the organization's work on global warming, freight transportation, toxics, and California's State Implementation Plan for air pollution. "It is very rare that a small non-profit organization has the opportunity to bring on someone with Dr. Prasad's knowledge and experience. We know he will help us and our allies advocate more effectively for pollution reductions and protecting the health of all Californians," said Tim Carmichael, CCA's Senior Policy Director. Read the Complete Press Release News Flash (December 19, 2007) Port of Long Beach Approves Container Fee to Fund Truck Clean Up. Port of Los Angeles is expected to approve an identical fee on Thursday. This week, the nation’s largest ports are taking a billion and a half steps toward clean air. The Long Beach harbor commission unanimously approved a container fee on Monday that is expected to generate $1.6 billion between the two ports to subsidize truck retrofits and the purchase of cleaner trucks. The Port of Los Angeles is expected to adopt an identical funding mechanism on Thursday. News Flash (December 7, 2007) - State air quality regulators are on a roll. So too will be cleaner trucks that haul cargo to and from ports and rail yards throughout California. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously today to a strict timeline that will retire the dirtiest diesel trucks that are among the worst offenders in California’s pollution crisis. This comes on the heels of a landmark action yesterday to cut the deadly pollution from ships docked at California ports. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) and fellow advocates closely tracked the air agency’s two-day meeting. News Flash (December 6, 2007) - Action taken today by state air regulators will save lives by cutting the deadly pollution from ships docked at California ports. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously today to require ships to use shore-side power, with a series of deadlines beginning in 2010. According to CARB, this rule will reduce diesel and smog-forming emissions from idling container, cruise, and refrigerated cargo ships by nearly 50 percent relative to levels otherwise expected to be emitted in 2014, and 80 percent by 2020. Tackling Boat Pollution at the Ports (Friday, October 26, 2007) – As a sign that the state is taking port pollution seriously, today the California Air Resources Board (CARB) directed its staff to strengthen a proposed regulation to reduce air pollution from the many boats operating in California’s ports (known as the harbor craft regulation). The board was expected to vote on the regulation today, however, they decided to hold off until November. Led by Chair Mary Nichols, the board decided to give their staff time to make adjustments so as to accelerate reducing public exposure from harmful pollutants. Read the Complete Press Release San Joaquin Valley Residents Applaud Governor's Signature of SB 719 (Oct. 14, 2007) - The Governor answered the pleas of San Joaquin Valley residents by signing SB 719 (Machado), advancing efforts by health, faith, community, and environmental leaders to reform the air board for one of the region’s dirtiest air basins. Read the Complete Press Release Coalition for Clean Air Applauds AQMD’s New $1 Million Grant Program To Help Southland Dry Cleaners Switch to Non-Toxic, Non-Smog Forming Systems (Oct. 6, 2007) – Many dry cleaners in the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s region will be able to switch to non-toxic, non-smog-forming systems because of a new grant program approved today by the air district.This new $1 million grant program will help dry cleaners switch from using the toxic chemical perchloroethylene, also known as “perc,” to two new and safer technologies: professional wet cleaning and the CO2 system. To date, it is the AQMD’s largest grant program for these technologies. Read the Complete Press Release. State Air Board Approves Additional Smog Reductions in Response to CCA Complaints (SEPT. 28, 2007) - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted a statewide air plan that commits to roughly 100 additional tons per day of pollution reductions. These additional reductions are a response to widespread outcry over smog plans that delay clean air for the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley. Read the Complete Press Release. Cleaner Trucks Ready For Port Truckers, But Who Has the Keys? (Sept. 26, 2007 ) - Cleaner running trucks are warehoused in Montebello, while dirty ones fill Washington Boulevard and nearby freeways. Community activists and port truck drivers want to know why. The cleaner trucks, which run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), are sitting idle while neighborhoods across the Southland must endure toxic diesel fumes. Read the Complete Press Release. Tell the Governor to Sign the San Joaquin Valley Clean Air Bill Send an action alert telling the Governor to sign SB 719! This bill is critically important as it will ensure that the membership of the San Joaquin Valley air board includes additional representation from urban and rural Valley areas and, most importantly, local health experts. Governor Supports Container Fee But Delays Signing SB 974 SACRAMENTO (Sept. 6, 2007) – With hundreds of millions of dollars on the line to combat pollution, the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) continues to press for passage of the Ports Investment Bill (SB 974) after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would back the idea of container fees but needed several more months to work on the legislation. CCA is cautiously optimistic after the governor said yesterday he would “support the concept of SB 974 and want to work together with Senator Lowenthal on the bill so it addresses the future of goods movement while also reducing environmental impacts.” Read the Complete Press Release.
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President and CEO Alberto Mendoza, “Champion of Clean Air,” featured in the May edition of Latino Leaders, The Green Issue
News Flash
The Port of Los Angeles unanimously adopted a comprehensive Clean Trucks Program (CTP) March 20, 2008. At the press conference immediately following, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa asked Program Associate Candice Kim to join him on stage as he thanked her for the good work of the Coalition for Clean Air in its continued efforts to push the newly adopted plan. 
Noted Environmental Health Expert, Shankar Prasad, joins the Coalition for Clean Air
Port
Investment Bill Protects Public Health, State Economy and Our Ports!
