My name is Andrea
Marpillero-Colomina and I represent GreenLatinos,
a
comunidad of Latino/a/x environmental and
conservation champions fighting against climate change and
environmental degradation that intensifies systematic social,
health, and economic injustices in our
communities.
I’m writing
in support of a stronger, equitable Advanced Clean Cars program.
The proposed standard as written is too weak to make a difference
in hard-hit communities and will not deliver the pollution cuts we
need.
Our communities are still breathing the most polluted
air in the country. It’s your responsibility to do
what’s right to relieve the suffering caused by these
realities.
The disproportionate impact of air pollution from cars
and trucks is the clearest example of environmental racism in
California.
Consider that Latino children are three times more
likely than non-hispanic white children to live in counties where
air quality standards are exceeded (31.4% vs. 10.6%), and nearly
one third of Latino children live in counties where hazardous air
pollutant concentrations exceed a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk
level.
Low-income
communities and communities of color shoulder biggest burden of
fuel costs and harmful pollution, having suffered
generations of systematic marginalization.
We urge you not to bow to the pressure of greedy oil
companies, carmakers, polluting companies and out of state
interests. We need you to prioritize the health of well-being of
all Californians who need affordable, pollution free cars as
quickly as possible.
We urge you to strengthen the program so that it meets
our climate and clean air crises, creates good jobs and ensures
that priority communities reap the benefits of pollution-free, gas
free cars by achieving at least 75% EV sales by 2030 and including
equity provisions that is what will actually make a
difference!
That is why
I’m joining other advocates in calling on you, the CA Air
Resources Board, to do your duty and protect us from the
devastating impact of expensive and polluting cars and trucks.
Thank you for your time.