Hello
everyone, my name is Zaide Pasion. I am a resident of Oxnard and
I’m a youth leader with the non-profit CAUSE. And I’m
speaking on the CARB Scoping Plan. I have traveled 400 miles from
my EJ community, Oxnard, to speak at this meeting because
Alternative 3 recommended by CARB, would allow all existing gas
generators to be active, and add 10 GW by 2045. Majority of
California’s 160 polluting gas plants are already located in
EJ communities, and this would only further concentrate these gas
plants in EJ communities such as my home, Oxnard; despite the fact
my city has already been affected negatively by such gas-fired
generators. My community, Oxnard, suffers from these gas plants;
our families and friends continually develop respiratory problems
from our polluted air. Oxnard has a 90th percentile for asthma
rates.
In the CARB
Scoping Plan, I am asking the Board to make a plan for a full
phaseout of fossil fuels by 2045. We must end oil extractions by
2035, phase out oil refining by 2045, phase out gas-fired power
plants by 2035, eliminate gas appliances by 2030, and decommission
the gas distribution system by 2045. Again, this is extremely
important because solutions for a renewable future are here! We
need to invest in these alternatives (such as solar and wind
energy, and many more) before spending our money on harmful fuels
and unproven technologies. Please ensure the health of our
communities as your top priority by making these changes to the
Scoping Plan. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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