Comment Log Display

Dear California Air Resources Board,

Californians Are In The Middle Of A Public Health Crisis.

Late last month, the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
released its draft plan to reduce global warming gases in
California by 25% by 2020. This plan is the first step in the
implementation of AB 32 - The Global Warming Solutions Act – which
the American Lung Association of California played a key role in
passing two years ago.  While the draft plan includes a mix of
measures that will provide reductions in greenhouse gases in
California, there are many areas that need strengthening in order
to maximize greenhouse gas reductions and provide co-benefits of
reducing criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants in
communities across the state.

Currently, CARB is holding public workshops throughout the state
to obtain comments on this draft plan. American Lung Association
of California advocacy staff have been attending these workshops,
recommending a strengthening of regulatory measures for industrial
sources, as well as requiring  stronger regional greenhouse gas
reduction targets for the land use sector;  promoting public
transit and other strategies to reduce auto dependence; and
accelerating efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles and clean
alternative fuels.

With the state's current estimate of premature deaths between
14-24,000 every year, 350,000 asthma attacks and thousands of
hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and reduced lung
function growth in children, California is in need of a serious
plan of action to reduce global warming and improve air quality.

This is where we need your help.

CARB is requesting comments by August 1st so please submit yours
today! It is urgent that CARB hear what all Californians think
about their draft plan before they release the next draft in
October.

Please take a few minutes to copy and paste the text below and
click here to submit this text to CARB.

Please take the time and take action today!

 

COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING TEXT:

California desperately needs a strong plan of action to both slow
global warming and achieve immediate reductions in  smog and other
dangerous air pollutants.

The state of California is facing a public health crisis,
experiencing 14-24,000 premature deaths from air pollution yearly,
350,000 asthma attacks and 2 million missed school days from
children suffering asthma attacks, thousands of hospitalizations
and emergency room visits, and reduced lung function growth in
children.

I urge the California  Air Resources Board  to include a stronger
focus on measures to reduce emissions from driving  that
contribute the largest percentage of greenhouse gases  in
California.  The plan should include a much more aggressive
statewide goal for reducing vehicle trips and measures to promote
progressive action by local governments.  The plan should also
include additional strong regulatory measures on industrial
sources to reduce emissions form petroleum refineries, power
plants, cement manufacturers, and others sources.

It is vitally important the plan demonstrate that the variety of
proposed measures will  not only make rapid progress toward
reducing greenhouse gases, but will also  provide local benefits
to communities in terms of improved air quality and public health.


Thank you for your consideration of my concerns to strengthen
these key strategies in the AB 32 draft scoping plan.