The Road To Clean aiR - LA Differentiated

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j N c > Facts The ships, trucks and trains that make up our ports and freight transportation system are largely powered by diesel fuel, which is hazardous to human health. Every year, 3,700 Californians die prematurely due to pollution from ports and freight transportation. “ The Californians who live near ports, rail yards and along traffic corridors are subsidizing the goods movement sector with their health. ” — California Air Resources Board (CARB) Draft Goods Movement Emission Reduction Plan, 2006 The components of diesel pollution When a diesel engine burns fuel, it emits a complex cocktail of harmful pollutants, including: • • • • Particulate matter (PM, or soot) Nitrogen oxides (NO x )—a major component of smog Sulfur oxides (SO x )—found in acid rain More than 40 toxic air contaminants, such as benzene, arsenic and formaldehyde Diesel pollution & our health Diesel causes 84% of cancer risk from air pollution in the South Coast air basin. Breathing diesel pollution can cause severe health problems, including: • • • • • Asthma Cancer Heart attack Stroke Premature death California estimates that diesel pollution from ports and freight transportation leads to: • • • 2,830 additional hospital admissions 360,000 sick days for workers 1.1 million missed school days for children Since 1990, diesel exhaust has been listed as a known carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65. In 1998, CARB listed diesel as a toxic air contaminant. Global trade, local impacts • The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together make up the largest port complex in the western hemisphere and the fifth largest in the world. • More than 40% of products entering the country come through California’s ports. • Trucks account for the largest source of deadly soot in our state. • The movement of products is currently responsible for roughly 30% of smog-forming emissions and 75% of soot in California. Coalition for Clean Air 10 2009 Annual Report
j N c > Solutions Paving the way for cleaner transport Putting the brakes on speeding ships The freight transportation system is a vast one, and advocating for its clean future requires a multipronged approach. What do children living with asthma have in common with whales along the California coast? More than one might think—they are both threatened by speeding ships. Speeding ships waste fuel and spew toxic air pollutants that increase the risk of cancer, asthma and premature death. Speeding ships also pose a danger to the sea and its inhabitants. In recent years, California has experienced a dramatic increase in whale deaths linked to collisions with large ocean-going vessels. Studies indicate that slowing a ship to 10-12 knots can significantly reduce both its chance of striking a whale and its contribution to air pollution. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) is demanding that ships ease up on the gas pedal. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering setting a speed limit for ships off the coast of California. A strong rule would protect marine life, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent coastal communities from inhaling up to 3 million pounds of CO 2 currently emitted into the atmosphere each day. A speed limit for all traffic at 40nm at the five major ports in California would reduce CO 2 emissions from speeding ships by more than 25% by 2012. A full coastal approach can accomplish greater emission reductions. This whale, a juvenile about 25 to 30 feet long, may have been hit by a boat’s propeller, evident from a large gash at the midline. Photo by Marcus Emerson / The Union-Tribune 2012 CO 2 emissions from CA ships 6,000 5,500 5,000 4,500 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 5,790 4,290 tons/day Without speed limit With speed limit for all traffic • In 2008 CARB adopted one of the most important rules of the past 10 years: the heavyduty diesel truck rule, which reduces emissions from California’s largest source of diesel pollution. One year later, the rule is under attack by industry, and CARB is considering modifications to account for California’s present economic climate. CCA is working to ensure that the modified rule continues to effectively regulate the millions of diesel trucks crisscrossing our highways and contaminating our air. • CCA helped break an impasse between state and local agencies, enabling more than 400 port trucks to use bond funding to convert to cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology. • CCA’s Dr. Shankar Prasad co-chaired a work group as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Over the course of two years, the group authored A Report of Advice and Recommendations on reducing air pollution from ports and freight transportation. The report will be used by the EPA and other state regulators to achieve substantial and fair emission reductions throughout the nation. Coalition for Clean Air 11 2009 Annual Report
Page 1 and 2: The Road to Clean Air 2 0 0 9 A n n
Page 3 and 4: Message from the board chair To our
Page 5 and 6: j N current campaigns VOCs in cons
Page 7 and 8: j N The Coalition for Clean Air (CC
Page 9: c > current campaigns Ports & freig
Page 13 and 14: current campaigns San Joaquin Valle
Page 15 and 16: Advocates Q&A with our Valley team
Page 17 and 18: current campaigns The climate crisi
Page 19 and 20: j N c > Solutions AB 1405: protect
Page 21 and 22: c > current campaigns Vehicles & tr
Page 23 and 24: j N c > Solutions CCA releases cle
Page 25 and 26: current campaigns Clean energy for
Page 27 and 28: Event highlights In 2009 the Coalit
Page 29 and 30: Supporters The Coalition for Clean
Page 31: Board of directors Staff www.coalit

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