First Name | Roderick |
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Last Name | Webster |
Email Address | rwebster@elite.net |
Affiliation | |
Subject | I support transitioning away from gas powered yard care equipment |
Comment | Dear Chair Randolph and Members of the Board, I live in Merced in the Central Valley where asthma and other respiratory health problems are double what they are elsewhere in the state. Almost every family has one or more members who are impacted. Which is not to say other areas of California are not contesting with similar impacts of poor air quality as well. But you can see why my concern is so great. Please support the adoption of new regulations that will phase out the sale of highly-polluting gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment in California beginning in 2024. The use of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers in particular causes numerous health problems, and greatly contributes to California's notoriously poor air quality. California continues to fail to meet national air quality standards, which means that millions of Californians like myself breathe unhealthy air everyday. CARB's public health benefit analysis determined that these new regulations, if adopted, will result in: $8.8 billion in health insurance benefits through 2043 892 premature deaths avoided 438 fewer emergency room visits for asthma 311 fewer hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues The California Legislature also appropriated $30 million for your agency to distribute to small proprietor landscapers to help them begin to acquire and transition to new, zero emission electric and manual equipment. This is in addition to subsidies and buy back programs already led by air districts throughout the state. This regulation will improve air quality, help to slow the climate crisis, improve human health, and save lives. Please approve and amend the SORE regulations per the staff recommendation. Thank you for considering this long overdue measure to improve our air quality. -Roderick Webster |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2021-11-17 10:41:04 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.