Monday, May 30, 2022
Subject: We need a faster shift to 100% clean
transportation for all -- Notice of Public Hearing to Consider
Proposed Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations (accii2022)
To Chair Liane Randolph and Members of the
California Air Resources Board:
I strongly urge you to strengthen the Advanced
Clean Cars II rule, one of the most significant opportunities to
turn the tide against the deepening climate crisis and toxic air
pollution. Please restore California’s leadership on clean
cars by 1) accelerating the state’s transition to 100 percent
electric vehicles, and 2) requiring manufacturers to offer new
gas-powered cars that are progressively cleaner each year until the
deadline.
California is falling further off track from
hitting its 2030 climate targets, and cars remain the largest
source of our greenhouse gas emissions. Climate pollution from
gas-powered cars and trucks makes up nearly 30 percent of total
emissions in California. Our vehicles are massive drivers of the
climate emergency, devastating our state with deadlier, more
damaging wildfires, heat waves, and drought.
Historically, California has led the nation in
setting strong auto emissions standards—but the current clean
cars proposal falls short of the action we need.
Thankfully, we now have modern zero-emission
cars that not only slash air and climate pollution but also are
increasingly cheaper to own than fossil-fueled vehicles. An
accelerated and equitable transition to zero-emission vehicles
(ZEVs) charging on affordable, abundant renewable energy presents
one of our best opportunities to tackle the climate crisis while
lowering costs and creating thousands of good paying jobs.
Governor Newsom has already committed
California to 100% ZEVs for new sales by 2035. This rule will
determine the path we take to get there. Unfortunately, the current
proposal starts slow and delays ambition in new ZEV sales until the
2030s. If we don’t reach 100% zero-emission vehicle sales
until 2035, it will be too late for California to meet its goal of
carbon neutrality by 2045, since many new vehicles last 20 years or
longer. This means that California will forfeit its historic
leadership to countries in Europe and Asia with more rigorous
policies that have now surpassed us in the ZEV transition. Worse,
the proposal leaves out meaningful standards to help place more
ZEVs in BIPOC and low-income communities that are most in need of
affordable, pollution-free transportation. Moving that target to
2030 will give our state a better chance of meeting its climate
goals and remaining a global leader on clean cars.
Also important: until we reach that all-EV,
new sales target in 2030, California must work to reduce the
climate-damaging emissions from new gasoline cars. Vehicle
manufacturers must take action to ensure that all of the vehicles
they produce emit less tailpipe pollution year over year. This
action is also critical to protect the health of communities hit
hardest by tailpipe pollution. Cancer-causing vehicle exhaust harms
people's health and particularly hurts low-income communities of
color near congested freeways.
Time is of the essence, and we simply cannot
waste this critical decade. We need to be at the forefront of the
urgently needed ZEV transition with aggressive, early targets that
push the automakers to mainstream ZEVs by making them affordable
and widespread. California must lead the way with strong policy
solutions to end tailpipe pollution and build an environmentally
just transportation system. New clean car standards must ensure
equitable access to electric vehicles.
I urge you to adopt strong clean car rules
that require:
* 100 percent
zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030;
* 7 percent annual
pollution cuts from gas-powered cars, year over year between now
and 2030; and
* Mandatory equity
commitments to ensure that communities most affected by pollution
benefit from electric vehicles first and foremost.
We are in the final few years that remain to
tackle the climate crisis and create a more just and vibrant future
for California. This rule presents one of the greatest
opportunities to slash our largest source of emissions. I urge you
not to waste it on incremental progress. We need bold solutions
that match the scale of the crises we face. This transition is a
tremendous opportunity to create family-supporting, high-paying
jobs for Californians. I urge you to seize this moment and adopt
nation-leading clean car standards that slash climate pollution,
ensure equity, and promote good jobs.
Thank you for your consideration of my
comments. Please do NOT add my name to your mailing list. I will
learn about future developments on this issue from other
sources.
Sincerely,
Christopher Lish
San
Rafael, CA