SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, 65 health and medical
organizations including The American Lung Association submitted
comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
urging the agency to approve eight California clean air rules that are pending
authorization. Collectively, the emissions reductions from these
eight programs are projected to save 11,000 lives in California, with health benefits exceeding
$116 billion over the course of
implementation. Read the letter here.
Under the Clean Air Act, California has the authority to establish more
health-protective clean air protections than the federal
government, but the state must petition EPA to grant a waiver or
authorization allowing implementation of the rules. Currently,
eight requests have been submitted to EPA to allow the state to
implement programs ushering in a new generation of zero-emission
technology requirements for passenger vehicles, heavy-duty trucks,
locomotive operations, maritime operations, landscaping and other
off-road equipment. The letter precedes an upcoming public hearing
on one of the programs under consideration, California's Advanced Clean Fleets policy to
expand zero-emission trucking fleets in the state.
"The American Lung Association calls on EPA to act without delay
to authorize the full suite of California clean air policies. There is much
at stake, especially when considering that nearly every Californian
lives in a community impacted by unhealthy air. These policies will
save thousands of lives, generate tens of billions of dollars in
health benefits and cut the risk of lung cancer in the most
impacted communities. They'll also ensure states outside of
California have the option to
implement stronger policies to benefit their residents' health,"
said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung
Association.
In the 2024 "State of the Air" report, the American Lung
Association found that California remains home to the
most difficult air pollution challenges in the nation.
Six California cities appear on the top ten list for
smoggiest cities in America, and eight appear among the most
impacted by particle pollution. The standards adopted by the
California Air Resources Board followed years of public process and
stakeholder engagement and are critical to achieving the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards set by EPA. Cleaning up emissions
that lead to unhealthy levels of air pollution is especially
critical for those at greater risk of health harm, including
children.
"Pediatricians know that children are uniquely vulnerable to
hazardous air pollution and its serious health consequences.
Children are not little adults, and their lungs are still
developing, putting them at greater risk for harmful impacts to
their lifelong health and development. We encourage EPA to
authorize these pending California
clean air programs, which would help reduce the health harms of air
pollution from motor vehicles in California and other states as well. All
children should be able to breathe clean air no matter where they
live. Our organizations will continue to advocate for stronger
clean air rules at the national, state, and local levels – the
health of children is at stake, and we cannot afford to wait," said
American Academy of Pediatrics President Benjamin D. Hoffman, MD, FAAP.
California has the unique
authority to develop rules stronger than equivalent federal rules
under the Clean Air Act, while other states have the authority to
opt in to those more health-protective standards. To date, 12
states have adopted California's
pending Advanced Clean Cars II program to reduce pollution from
combustion vehicles and ensure increasing zero-emission vehicle
sales over the coming decades. Approval of this waiver
request by EPA will allow these states to implement the program on
schedule. The health benefits noted above are specific to
California and would be greatly
expanded as programs are implemented in other states.
CONTACT: American Lung Association in California, 310-359-6386
or CalMedia@Lung.org
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung
Association is the leading organization working to save lives by
improving lung health and preventing lung disease through
education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung
Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat
lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality
of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to
create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the
American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity
Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call
1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To
support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local
event at Lung.org/events.
This year, the American Lung Association is celebrating 120
years! Join us in our journey to champion lung health and
help us celebrate 120 Years of Impact. Donate today at
Lung.org/donate.
American Lung Association • 55 W. Wacker
Drive, Suite 1150 • Chicago, IL
60601
1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North • Washington, D.C. 20004
1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org
CONTACT: Bo
Smith | American Lung Association
P:
310-359-6386 E: CalMedia@Lung.org
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SOURCE American Lung Association