First Name | Elizabeth |
---|---|
Last Name | Warren |
Email Address | ewarren@futureports.org |
Affiliation | FuturePorts |
Subject | Agenda Item 09-8-5: Public Meeting to present ARB's Draft Recommendations to Implement Fu |
Comment | Dear Chair Nichols: On behalf of FuturePorts, I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to comment on the ARB staff’s Draft Recommendations to Implement Further Locomotive and Railyard Emission Reductions (“the Recommendations”) being presented to the Board Members at the ARB board meeting on September 25th. Representing a broad spectrum of the businesses in the Southern California goods movement supply chain, FuturePorts recognizes the San Pedro Bay Ports as regional assets, and advocates for balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship. FuturePorts urges Board to maintain the efficiency of the goods movement system by implementing ARB staff’s recommendation to pursue an incentive program to maximize the emissions reductions from locomotives throughout the state. Transporting goods by rail yields criteria pollutant emission benefits, reduces GHGs, and improves freeway congestion for certain key moves as a part of the goods movement system. Operational impacts on one piece of the system can cause disruption to the associated ship, rail, and truck operations throughout California. It is imperative that any action by ARB preserves the efficiency of the system as a whole, and further reduce emissions within that context. ARB and the San Pedro Ports have had significant success with incentive programs to reduce emissions in partnership with international trade industries. Pursuing the incentive program will allow ARB to achieve their goal of reducing DPM from goods movement sources 85% by 2020. Full implementation of the proposed locomotive measures in the staff’s Recommendations “translates to a 65 percent reduction in potential cancer risks in communities surrounding railyards by 2015 and 85 percent reduction by 2020” (Page ES-3). Right now, in Southern California, the unemployment rate is soaring and thousands of people are looking for work. International trade is a vital economic engine in California and must be allowed to thrive, especially in tough economic times. California must seek methods – like this incentive program—to preserve competitiveness and efficiency of the goods movement system, while driving down emissions in California. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Elizabeth Warren FuturePorts |
Attachment | www.arb.ca.gov/lists/railyard09/15-arb_ltr_rr_ry_rec_092509.doc |
Original File Name | ARB Ltr RR RY Rec 092509.doc |
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2009-09-23 08:53:44 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.