Comment Log Display

To:  Chair Mary D. Nichols and Board Members, CARB

I am a California resident, nurse, and public health professional
with a strong interest in the health and environment.  I support
CARB taking measures to pass the strongest possible Advanced Clean
Trucks (ACT) rule.

This rule would be the first of its kind in the nation promoting
the sale of electric trucks, putting our state on a path to
reducing air pollution and climate impacts from diesel trucks for
years to come.  California can and should set a strong precedent
for others to follow.

In December 2019, thousands of people submitted public comments
calling for a stronger ACT rule.  And advocates and community
members, including from regions heaviest hit by truck pollution,
showed up in numbers at the Dec. CARB board meeting to provide
testimony.  We appreciate CARB's response that emphasized
prioritizing our communities' public health and combatting climate
change.  

We believe the new proposal, roughly doubling the sales percentages
from the last proposal, is a step in the right direction.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, we are aware of numerous
industries pressuring CARB to roll back policies such as the ACT
rule, and we urge you to reject these attacks.  This is exactly the
wrong move at a time when protecting public health and creating new
economic opportunities is critical. 

This rule will have long term benefits for our state, and would not
be implemented until several years from now.  Furthermore, studies
have long shown that diesel pollution is linked to a number of
respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. New research suggests
that long term exposure to air pollution, such as from diesel
emissions, is associated with higher risk of death from COVID-19. 


A strong standard for manufacturers is critical for California to
act on climate and meet air quality standards, especially in
communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. 
Considering the health, economic, and environmental benefits from
this rules, I URGE YOU TO ADOPT THE STRONGEST ACT RULE POSSIBLE.

Thank you,

Claire Bleymaier, RN, MPH
San Jose, CA 95120