Press Release

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.

SB 974, authored by Senator Alan Lowenthal, provides funding to reduce port pollution and protect public health. The plan calls for $30 from each 20-foot-equivalent shipping container that enters the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. Revenue collected will go towards infrastructure and available technologies to reduce the associated health effects from the goods movement.

SB 240, authored by Senator Dean Florez, and its mirror bill, AB 2522, authored by Assemblymember Juan Arambula, authorizes the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to increase the amount collected from Valley registered vehicles. These funds will be used to provide protection for residents living in communities facing a disproportionate air pollution burden by requiring that at least 10% of the funds collected are used to address San Joaquin Valley’s air pollution issues.

CCA lobby day organizer and Community Engagement Director Nidia Bautista said that “since nine out of ten Californians breathe unhealthy air, we cannot sit idly. We need leadership at all levels, especially from our state leaders, to truly solve the air pollution crisis.”

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