August 19, 2008
Statement of Jim Wilgus, President & CEO
Regarding the California Air Resources Board Draft Scoping Plan to
Implement the Global Warming Solutions Act
The American Lung Association of California believes that the draft Scoping Plan is a key step forward in implementing the Global Warming Solutions Act and toward creating a more sustainable energy economy in our state. Without dramatic changes in our society and economy to reduce global warming, California’s already severe air pollution problems will only get worse. While the draft plan represents an important first step, we urge the Air Resources Board to incorporate changes that would strengthen the plan’s air quality, greenhouse gas reduction and public health benefits.
The public health crisis in California caused by the state’s dependence on polluting petroleum fuels requires us to move forward quickly with the strongest possible greenhouse gas reduction measures. With asthma at epidemic levels and thousands of premature deaths, hospitalizations and illnesses caused by air pollution each year, California must take strong action. Moving away from petroleum fuels through strategies to clean up vehicles and fuels, change land use patterns, and promote alternative transportation modes will not only help achieve the state’s 2020 and 2050 targets, but will also help the state attack its smog and toxic air pollution problems.
We are pleased to see a significant commitment to renewable power production through the inclusion of a goal of achieving 33 percent of the state’s power through renewable sources. We are also pleased that that the plan has a strong foundation in regulatory approaches that provide the most certainty for achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions and providing the most accountability to the public.
We strongly believe that protection of public health should be the key criteria to evaluate the various policy tools and strategies that are part of the scoping plan, as well as the broader implementation efforts under AB 32. In order to give priority consideration to public health, the Air Resources Board must ensure that the plan:
- 1. Places a high priority on measures that can achieve the greatest public health benefits including measures to reduce driving and measures that can provide early reductions and improve air quality in communities already suffering from high levels of exposure to smog and toxic pollution from ports, goods movement, agricultural and industrial polluters and other hot spots.
- Contributes to faster progress toward meeting state and federal clean air commitments for smog and particle pollution, and includes no elements that allow for backsliding on achievement of state and federal air quality standards.
- Maximizes the air quality and public health co-benefits of all regulations and strategies for greenhouse gas reduction included in the plan.
- Meets all requirements of AB 32 (Nunez/Pavley) for analysis of air quality impacts and impacts to disadvantaged communities.
The American Lung Association appreciates the California Air Resources Board’s effort to date on this groundbreaking state greenhouse gas plan and looks forward to continue working with the Board to ensure the plan is strong, health protective, and provides a solid framework for success in reaching the state’s 2020 and 2050 goals.
