KEY AIR QUALITY LEGISLATION, SB 974 (LOWENTHAL), NOW AWAITS THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE
On Tuesday, the most significant air quality measure of the 2008 legislative session passed the Senate and is now headed to the Governor's desk for his signature. SB 974 (Lowenthal), The Clean Ports Investment Act, has now passed both houses of the Legislature with bi-partisan support. PCL and the bill's other supporters are optimistic that Governor Schwarzenegger will sign the bill into law, particularly in light of his statements from last August on the need for a measure that would provide funding for mitigation efforts at California ports.
SB 974 collects up to $30 per shipping container processed at California's three largest ports, Oakland, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, and reinvests that money evenly between infrastructure improvement projects and air quality mitigation measures.
Nearly half of all goods entering the United States come in through these ports, and the ships, trucks, trains, and cargo equipment needed to get the goods to store shelves are responsible for substantial toxic air pollution. Operations at the three ports and related freight transport generate thirty percent of the statewide emissions of nitrogen oxide, a smog-forming pollutant, and seventy-five percent of all diesel particulate matter pollution.
These pollutants contribute to increased rates of asthma, respiratory disease, and premature death. In fact, diesel pollution is the worst toxic air contaminant in California, responsible for seventy percent of the state's air pollution-related cancer risk. Approximately 3,700 deaths and 360,000 sick days in California each year are directly linked to toxic emissions from goods movement. The California Air Resources Board estimates that over the next fourteen years, the state will spend an additional $200 billion in health care costs directly related to goods movement pollution.
If the Governor signs SB 974 into law, it will provide a steady funding stream that is expected to generate nearly $500 million dollars annually for new infrastructure and air quality improvements. That's a tremendous benefit to California's environment and an exceptional step forward for our state's health.
WAITER, THERE'S AN OCEAN IN MY ESTUARY: STATE LAUNCHES EFFORT TO CRAFT CLIMATE CHANGE COPING STRATEGY
While the California Air Resources Board is taking comments on its Draft Scoping Plan to reduce the emissions that cause global warming, the California Resources Agency is kicking off efforts to help California respond to those effects of global warming that are now considered unavoidable due to past pollution.
Last Thursday, the Resources Agency held its first public briefing on the preparation of a Climate Adaptation Strategy for California. Tony Brunello, Deputy Secretary for Climate Change and Energy for the Resources Agency,said he hoped to have a draft of the strategy for public review by January 2009 and a final draft to the Governor by April of next year.
The strategy will be drafted by representatives from across state government. They plan to identify top priority climate impacts for oceans and coastal resources, water, biodiversity and habitat, public health, working landscapes, and infrastructure and outline necessary actions their agencies will take in each of these areas.
Although support for the planning effort was high, many participants urged the Resources Agency to act more aggressively to tap the experience and expertise of scientists and policy experts early in the process. Others stressed the need to prioritize solutions that strengthened the resiliency of natural systems while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To find out more about the Climate Adaptation Strategy and how to get involved, contact PCL's global warming program manger, Matt Vander Sluis.
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814 • Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789 •
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