SACRAMENTO -- The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today approved a plan to dramatically reduce the emissions associated with the movement of goods throughout the state. The proposed plan, combined with existing measures already adopted, will save more than 1,500 lives each year by 2020 when fully implemented.

"California is fortunate to have a thriving economy and to serve as a national gateway for goods movement. However, we also need to address the problems that accompany this growth. Protecting the health of Californians must be at the top of our agenda. I am confident this can be done in a way which maintains a healthy economy for California," said ARB Chairman, Dr. Robert Sawyer.

Approximately 2,400 premature deaths each year are attributed to diesel-powered ships, locomotives, trucks, harbor craft and cargo handling equipment involved in goods movement activity. Measures already in place will reduce this number 30 percent by 2020, even with projected increases in international trade and population growth. The plan will also help reduce related health effects such as heart disease, asthma and bronchitis, as well as lost work and school days that result from those health problems.

The ARB plan covers all domestic and international goods movement activities throughout California. Focused regional analyses are included for key corridors: Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley and San Diego.

The strategies included in the plan reduce emissions from goods movement activities 20 percent to 40 percent below 2001 levels by 2010. In addition, implementing the plan will reduce the statewide health risk for diesel particulate matter from goods movement sources by 85 percent. It will also cut emissions of NOx (nitrogen oxides) by 63 percent and SOx (sulfur oxides) by 78 percent. Pollution will be reduced utilizing a variety of tools, including regulations by the ARB, incentive programs, actions initiated by federal, local and regional government agencies, and individual efforts by goods movement industries.

ARB staff estimates the cost of the emission reduction plan to be $6 billion to $10 billion over the next 15 years, and its health benefits to range between $34 billion and $47 billion within that time period. The ARB emission reduction plan is consistent with phase one of the Goods Movement Action Plan led by the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

For further information on goods movement and ports, see http://www.arb.ca.gov/gmp/gmp.htm.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy cost, see our website at http://www.arb.ca.gov.