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In this comment I
represent the position of 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 comment today
in support of CARB’s alternative plan to bring more electric
trucks to the road faster, and strengthen it to better address the
dangerous polluting trucks on our roads, big-rigs.
California and
the US on a whole has a deadly diesel pollution problem.
Freight
communities, neighborhoods near warehouses and families living next
highways get the worst of it. The disproportionate exposure of
these mostly Black and Brown communities to diesel exhaust
pollution is one of the clearest examples of environmental
racism.
We urgently need
a new policy tool to cut pollution from trucks so we can save
lives.
CARB’s own research shows that the Accelerated ZEV
Transition Alternative recommended by the agency will result in
substantial additional benefits:


Over 2,400 additional
avoided premature deaths.


Over $34
billion in additional
health benefits.


An additional 38%
reduction in deadly diesel
soot.


An additional 50%
reduction in smog-forming
pollution.


A 44% greater
reduction of climate
change pollution.


$10
billion in additional
net societal benefits - over 20% improvement.


This rulemaking can play a crucial role in
ending the perpetuation of environmental injustices that are
literally shortening lives in Black and Brown communities across
California.
We know
that:


Living within just one-third
of a mile of a
highway or close to ports, warehouse distribution centers or other
freight corridors is devastating for lung health and can lead to
early death.


Low-income communities and communities of
color shoulder the biggest burden of deadly diesel truck pollution,
having suffered
generations of systematic marginalization. 


Residents living near ports, warehouses,
and busy roads are exposed to such high rates of heavy-duty vehicle
pollution that physicians have labeled these areas “diesel
death zones” - because asthma rates and cancer risks are so
drastically elevated. 


People of color breathe disproportionate
levels of this toxic air pollution, which contributes to higher rates of
asthma, cancer, and other illnesses than their white
counterparts.


 
All of this
environmental harm and the potentially deadly health consequences
it creates is preventable through the expedient and effective
electrification of trucks, which will set an invaluable and
lifesaving precedent for clean fleets policymaking in other states
and at the federal level.    
I urge CARB to
fulfill its duty and create new pathways for communities to breathe
the benefits of clearer air. Thank you for your time.