Comment Log Display

Californians Are In The Middle Of A Public Health Crisis.Late last
month, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its
draft plan to reduce global warming gases in California by 25% by
2020. This plan is the first step in the implementation of AB 32 -
The Global Warming Solutions Act – which the American Lung
Association of California played a key role in passing two years
ago.  While the draft plan includes a mix of measures that will
provide reductions in greenhouse gases in California, there are
many areas that need strengthening in order to maximize greenhouse
gas reductions and provide co-benefits of reducing criteria air
pollutants and toxic air contaminants in communities across the
state.Currently, CARB is holding public workshops throughout the
state to obtain comments on this draft plan. American Lung
Association of California advocacy staff have been attending these
workshops, recommending a strengthening of regulatory measures for
industrial sources, as well as requiring  stronger regional
greenhouse gas reduction targets for the land use sector; 
promoting public transit and other strategies to reduce auto
dependence; and accelerating efforts to introduce zero emission
vehicles and clean alternative fuels. With the state's current
estimate of premature deaths between 14-24,000 every year, 350,000
asthma attacks and thousands of hospitalizations and emergency room
visits, and reduced lung function growth in children, California is
in need of a serious plan of action to reduce global warming and
improve air quality.This is where we need your help. CARB is
requesting comments by August 1st so please submit yours today! It
is urgent that CARB hear what all Californians think about their
draft plan before they release the next draft in October.Please
take a few minutes to copy and paste the text below and click here
to submit this text to CARB. Please take the time and take action
today! COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING TEXT:California desperately
needs a strong plan of action to both slow global warming and
achieve immediate reductions in  smog and other dangerous air
pollutants.The state of California is facing a public health
crisis, experiencing 14-24,000 premature deaths from air pollution
yearly, 350,000 asthma attacks and 2 million missed school days
from children suffering asthma attacks, thousands of
hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and reduced lung
function growth in children.I urge the California  Air Resources
Board  to include a stronger focus on measures to reduce emissions
from driving  that contribute the largest percentage of greenhouse
gases  in California.  The plan should include a much more
aggressive statewide goal for reducing vehicle trips and measures
to promote progressive action by local governments.  The plan
should also include additional strong regulatory measures on
industrial sources to reduce emissions form petroleum refineries,
power plants, cement manufacturers, and others sources.It is
vitally important the plan demonstrate that the variety of
proposed measures will  not only make rapid progress toward
reducing greenhouse gases, but will also  provide local benefits
to communities in terms of improved air quality and public health.
 Thank you for your consideration of my concerns to strengthen
these key strategies in the AB 32 draft scoping plan.