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While federal efforts to tackle climate change have been stalled, California continues moving forward with making the Global Warming Solutions Act a reality. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) identified a need for equal protection from California’s climate crisis and is an official sponsor of a critical bill, AB 1405, which would create a Community Benefits Fund.
What do children living with asthma have in common with whales along the California coast? More than you might think: They are both threatened by speeding ships. Speeding ships waste fuel, physically endanger whales and emit toxic air pollutants that harm human health and contribute to climate change. The Coalition for Clean Air is demanding that ships along the California coast ease up on the gas pedal.
After months of strong advocacy efforts the Coalition for Clean Air is pleased that the SJVAPCD voted 9-2 in favor of ETRIP. The initiative requires Valley-based employers with more than 100 employees to reduce individual car trips made by their workers. “It’s the first clean air commute rule of its kind in the region,” said Laura Fultz Stout, campaign and outreach associate for CCA. “The region is plagued by poor air quality and cars are noted as being the second largest contributor to smog-forming emissions—this is a positive step in a commute to clear the air.”
In October the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) reported on Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa’s goals to eliminate the purchase of coal power and produce 40 percent of the city’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020. We welcome these ambitious goals with open arms; solar and renewable energy are clean, sustainable solutions that will lead to healthier air in Los Angeles and beyond. However, one important solar energy project is in jeopardy. David Freeman, interim general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), unexpectedly announced that negotiations on a large-scale solar energy project in Niland, California, have been canceled. We must ensure this does not indicate a weakening of the city’s commitment to its clean energy goals.
More people in the San Joaquin Valley are opting for a two-wheeled, clean air commute, thanks in part to the Fresno County Bicycle Coalition's Bike to Work Corporate Challenge, as well as to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's (SJVAPCD) Healthy Air Living initiative and Rule 9410. Currently being drafted by the SJVAPCD, Rule 9410 is an emissions reduction program that would require large Valley-based employers to reduce single-occupancy vehicle commutes made by their employees.
One year after the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted its heavy-duty diesel truck rule, staff analysis in late 2009 showed that economic downturn has had a beneficial net effect on the air over the last year. As a result, CARB will come to the table this April with specific modifications to the rule, taking into account California’s present economic climate. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) currently supports these modifications but continues working to ensure they do not exceed what is needed and that clean air continues to be a priority.
In December the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) received the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2009 National Environmental Justice Achievement Award, given to the stakeholder group that helped shape the Clean Trucks Program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. CCA was a central member of the broad partnership that included environmental and community-based organizations, unions, industry groups and government agencies.
In the community highlights clean air events near you.
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Cleaner air coming to port-adjacent schools.
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Community Benefits Fund closer to becoming reality While federal efforts to tackle climate change have been stalled, California continues moving forward with making the Global Warming Solutions Act a reality. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) identified a need for equal protection from California’s climate crisis and is an official sponsor of a critical bill, AB 1405, which would create a Community Benefits Fund. The Community Benefits Fund would require a portion of the revenues generated from the implementation of AB 32—California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act—to help neighborhoods that have suffered the most from air pollution and will struggle the most with the consequences of climate change. Late last summer, CCA worked with the joint authors and co-sponsors of AB 1405 to hold the bill on the Senate floor while advocates worked with the governor’s newly created Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee (EAAC). The committee includes some well respected economists and environmental policy experts charged with performing an economic analysis of, AB 32. During months of meetings, CCA testified and encouraged a diverse array of colleagues to provide public comment in support of a Community Benefits Fund. In December the committee voted on a set of 13 recommendations covering an array of terms and topics. Among the recommendations EAAC makes is for California to invest in disadvantaged communities overburdened by the effects of climate change. Among the vehicles they propose is a Community Benefits Fund. “We are very pleased with the important inclusion of the Community Benefits Fund in the EAAC report,” said Policy Director Nidia Bautista. “Our hope is that lawmakers and the governor will see this and be encouraged to support AB 1405.” The inclusion of the Community Benefits Fund in the EAAC report findings strengthens AB 1405, which has already successfully moved through all its committees and the Assembly, The Senate will vote on AB 1405 this legislative season. Read the EAAC report and recommendations
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Whales and asthmatic children face a common threat What do children living with asthma have in common with whales along the California coast? More than you might think: They are both threatened by speeding ships. Speeding ships waste fuel, physically endanger whales and emit toxic air pollutants that harm human health and contribute to climate change. The Coalition for Clean Air is demanding that ships along the California coast ease up on the gas pedal. Speeding ships spew toxic air pollutants that increase the risk of cancer, asthma and premature death. Health risks from diesel particulate matter are highest in areas of concentrated emissions, such as near ports.1 Preliminary research suggests that implementing a speed limit of 12 knots will cause significant reductions in CO2, particulate matter, NOX and SOX. Speeding ships pose a danger not only to air quality, the climate and human life, but to the sea and its inhabitants as well. California experienced a dramatic increase in whale deaths linked to collisions with large ocean-going vessels in 2007. The Santa Barbara Channel, adjacent to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, saw four blue whale fatalities from ship strikes—more than in any previous year.2 In April 2009, three fatal ship strikes of whales were documented in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles. One whale was dragged into the harbor draped across the front of the ship, while the other two washed up on shore with visible lacerations from being struck by ships. Studies have shown that slowing a ship to 10 knots can significantly reduce its chance of striking a whale. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering setting a speed limit for ships off the coast of California. A strong rule would protect whales and prevent children from inhaling some 3 million pounds of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere each day! As CARB develops this measure, it must ensure that pollution will not increase. A strong and mandatory rule has multiple benefits:
Whales and asthmatic children can be protected if CARB does the right thing by implementing a mandatory speed limit for ships. Take action and send your letter urging CARB to slow down speeding ships. ................................................................................................................................................
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In the last edition of Clearing the Air, we brought you the tale of two bicycle commuters in Fresno, Ed and Larry, and how their two-wheel commutes are providing health benefits and air quality improvements simultaneously. We also noted the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s (SJVAPCD) Rule 9410, or ETRIP, was coming to a vote in December. After months of strong advocacy efforts the Coalition for Clean Air is pleased that the SJVAPCD voted 9-2 in favor of ETRIP. The initiative requires Valley-based employers with more than 100 employees to reduce individual car trips made by their workers. “It’s the first clean air commute rule of its kind in the region,” said Laura Fultz Stout, campaign and outreach associate for CCA. “The region is plagued by poor air quality and cars are noted as being the second largest contributor to smog-forming emissions—this is a positive step in a commute to clear the air.” A clean air commute—such as bicycling, walking or taking public transit to work—decreases pollution from cars and trucks and improves air quality; plus it boosts public health and employee performance. With the adoption of ETRIP, employers can turn to CCA’s report—Getting to work: your clean air commute—to find many innovative and effective programs worthy of implementing among employees.
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Cleaner air coming to port-adjacent schools After nearly two years of advocacy, the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) achieved an important agreement last month to help protect the health of children, teachers and school employees working and studying in close proximity to the Port of Los Angeles. The agreement launches a $6 million program to install state-of-the-art air filtration systems in schools located near the Port. Children are among the most vulnerable to the dangers of air pollution. Childhood asthma in communities adjacent to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are staggering at 21.9 percent, compared to 15.6 percent for the Los Angeles region and 14.2 percent nationally. Over the last seven months, CCA worked alongside our environmental allies at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to push this initiative over the finish line, hammering out details and securing support from government agencies, environmentalists and community groups. With $6 million provided from a settlement over a port expansion project known as TraPac, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will administer a comprehensive five-year school air filtration program for the harbor area. While air filters in schools are not the answer to our air pollution problem, they offer a proven way to dramatically improve indoor air quality. “Our port communities, particularly our children, have suffered far too long from the negative effects of port pollution. We know that there are 330,000 school absences statewide each year due to cargo-related pollution. Hopefully, this air filtration program in schools will help keep our children healthier. This is exactly the type of project the community benefits money was intended for,” said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. Next up, the SCAQMD—with input from CCA, NRDC and community groups—will begin analyzing potential schools and accepting proposals from vendors for installation. The first systems will likely be in place in time for summer school. ................................................................................................................................................ Filter efficiency
Source: South Coast Air Quality Management District, Work Plan for High Efficiency Air Filtration Project in Classrooms. November 21, 2008.
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California to modify diesel trucks rule One year after the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted its heavy-duty diesel truck rule, staff analysis in late 2009 showed that economic downturn has had a beneficial net effect on the air over the last year. As a result, CARB will come to the table this April with specific modifications to the rule, taking into account California’s present economic climate. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) currently supports these modifications but continues working to ensure they do not exceed what is needed and that clean air continues to be a priority. The rule Our voice Resources
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CCA among partnership awarded by EPA In December the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) received the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2009 National Environmental Justice Achievement Award, given to the stakeholder group that helped shape the Clean Trucks Program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. CCA was a central member of the broad partnership that included environmental and community-based organizations, unions, industry groups and government agencies. The Clean Trucks Program is part of the largest, most aggressive air quality program at any port complex in the world. A little more than one year since its implementation the program has reduced harmful port truck pollution by more than 70 percent. The EPA commends the Clean Trucks Program, saying it “sets the environmental bar for other port facilities to improve air quality in neighboring communities.” Cleaning up port trucks significantly reduces the impact of diesel truck pollution on people living in communities that have long suffered environmental injustices. CCA is honored to be part of the collaborative effort that helped steer port authorities in the design and adoption of this model program. Such partnerships make possible the safeguarding of our most precious natural resource—the air we breathe. CCA would like to extend its appreciation to each partner for working together to help protect our communities and improve our air quality.
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