First Name | Andy |
---|---|
Last Name | Katz |
Email Address | andyk@ggbreathe.org |
Affiliation | Breathe California |
Subject | Support for Truck and Bus Rule |
Comment | December 10, 2008 California Air Resources Board 1001 I Street Sacramento, CA 95812-2815 RE: Strong Support for Truck and Bus Rule Chair Nichols and ARB Members: Diesel pollution is a highly toxic carcinogen, causing 24,000 premature deaths annually from particulate matter exposure, including 4,500 annually due to trucks and buses. In addition, diesel truck pollution imposes costs on the California economy - $28 billion annually in just the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley regions. This regulation is desperately needed to protect public health and ensure that California can meet federal air quality standards. We recommend amending the regulation (1) to restrict the proposed exemptions for agricultural trucks and (2) to provide a margin of safety for meeting SIP commitments. The proposed agricultural exemption will still allow for local exposure to unhealthy air. To protect public health as much as possible, we concur with the suggestions to (1) limit fleet size to small fleets of three vehicles or lower, (2) reducing the mileage threshold for delayed PM filter requirements (2015) and delayed 2010 NOx engine standards (2023) to vehicles driving under 10,000 miles a year, (3) not including chemical trucks, and (4) requiring that replacement vehicles must have a PM filter. This rule is critical to meeting SIP commitments in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast region, but the commitments are so heavily dependent on the emission standards in this regulation and its enforcement, that there is no margin for error. To ensure compliance, the Board should adopt a rule that will obtain the reductions needed to provide a margin of safety in meeting SIP commitments, including requiring vehicle inspections and third-party evaluations. This rule will save over 9,000 lives and prevent 150,000 asthma attacks. We urge the Board to adopt this critical rule to protect public health. Sincerely, Andy Katz |
Attachment | www.arb.ca.gov/lists/truckbus08/907-12.10.08_truck_rule.doc |
Original File Name | 12.10.08 Truck Rule.doc |
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-12-10 11:55:11 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.