Obama hits the road calling for California's ability to impose emissions standards

The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) applauds President Barack Obama for directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to act swiftly to review a request by California and at least 13 other states for a waiver under the Clean Air Act to set strict automobile emissions standards.

Yes on Measure B

The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) announces its support for "Measure B: Green Energy and Good Jobs." On March 3, 2009, City of Los Angeles voters can direct the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to begin installing 400 megawatts of solar power on local rooftops.

A Toast to Clearing the Air
Sacramento Event

Join Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg on March 11, 2009, at Sacramento's historic Sutter Club, as we raise a glass to fighting California's air pollution.

Enjoy a special tasting of California wines and sample gourmet hors d'oeuvres and desserts while conversing with one of California's leading environmental champions.

For more information, click here.

Ribbon cutting ceremony inaugurates third statewide
CCA office

Coalition for Clean Air President and CEO Alberto Mendoza cuts the ribbon inaugurating CCA's third California office. Mendoza is surrounded by CCA staff, board members and members of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sacramento's successful Clean Air Round Table

On January 16, 2009, the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) hosted nearly 70 participants at the Clean Air Round Table—our largest to date. Held in Sacramento, this annual event unites statewide air policy advocates to reflect on the previous year's advocacy efforts and speak about goals for the coming year.

Smogtown authors join CCA members at special event

Friends and members of the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) joined Smogtown co-authors Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly for a lively conversation and book signing on January 28, 2009. The authors generously donated books that were available for a special price of $20, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting CCA.

To purchase a copy of the book at this special price, click here. Hurry while supplies last!

CARB adopts critical clean air protections proposed by CCA

In December the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously in favor of a plan which includes a cap-and-trade program with clean air protections developed and advocated by the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA). Without the protections developed by CCA, the policies being considered by CARB were likely to relocate additional pollution to communities already unfairly burdened by high levels of air pollution.

Life-saving truck rule gets green light

On a roll after adopting a rule to limit greenhouse gases, California continued its green streak by cracking down on diesel trucks and the deadly emissions they spew while crisscrossing our state roads and highways. Few sources of pollution have a greater impact on public health than heavy-duty diesel vehicles. We applaud the California Air Resource Board (CARB) for taking this life-saving action and tackling the single largest source of toxic pollution in our state.

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Obama hits the road calling for California's ability to impose emissions standards

The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) applauds President Barack Obama for directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to act swiftly to review a request by California and at least 13 other states for a waiver under the Clean Air Act to set strict automobile emissions standards.

California is a global leader in developing effective strategies to reduce air pollution and global warming emissions. It is wonderful news that the Obama administration is willing to let California continue to lead in this area for the benefit of the entire country, and ultimately, the entire planet.

Everyone who has tracked the development of automobile technologies knows that the entire industry can do much more to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

California and at least 13 other states, which represent 40% of the U.S. auto market, are ready to implement stricter emissions standards which we hope will then be adopted nationwide.

The fact that the Obama administration is making this its first prominent action on global warming is a strong signal for California and the rest of the country; it shows his willingness to support the science and leadership needed to fight global warming.

Read CCA's quotes in the news:
To read the Los Angeles Times article, click here.
To read the Sacramento Bee article, click here.
To read our op-ed on Yubanet, click here.

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Yes on Measure B

The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) announces its support for "Measure B: Green Energy and Good Jobs." On March 3, 2009, City of Los Angeles voters can direct the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to begin installing 400 megawatts of solar power on local rooftops.

Measure B is the most ambitious solar panel initiative in the country, and it couldn't come at a better time. Los Angeles' air quality is among the poorest in the nation, and our economy is in a downward spiral. Measure B will help us fight air pollution with the development of clean, renewable energy and will help revive the economy by creating new and green jobs.

We need to invest in green projects that create new jobs while fighting one of our biggest environmental challenges, global warming. Measure B will serve as a leading example of how a strong economy and our clean energy future go hand in hand.

To learn more about Yes on Measure B, click here.

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Sacramento's successful Clean Air Round Table

On January 16, 2009, the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) hosted nearly 70 participants at the Clean Air Round Table—our largest to date. Held in Sacramento, this annual event unites statewide air policy advocates to reflect on the previous year's advocacy efforts and speak about goals for the coming year.

Attending as guest speakers were James Goldstein, executive officer of the California Air Resources Board, and Kip Lipper, consultant to state Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. They joined the group during lunch to discuss the implementation of AB 32 and the role of the state budget in this year's air advocacy and legislative efforts.

Financial sponsors of the Round Table included Community Action to Fight Asthma and Environmental Defense Fund, and as well as Natural Resources Defense Council, which provided two travel scholarships.

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Smogtown authors join CCA members at special event

Friends and members of the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) joined Smogtown co-authors Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly for a lively conversation and book signing on January 28, 2009. The authors generously donated books that were available for a special price of $20, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting CCA.

To purchase a copy of the book at this special price, click here. Hurry while supplies last!

About the book
Smogtown is the story of pollution, progress, and how an optimistic people confronted the epic struggle against aerial poisons barraging their hometowns. With wit, verve and a new look at history through never-before compiled sources, it highlights the bold personalities involved, the corporate-tainted science, the terrifying health costs, the Buck Rogers-like attempts at cleanup, and how the smog battle helped mold the modern-day culture of Los Angeles. With Southern California still the air pollution center of the planet, Smogtown is a cautionary tale for those who think global warming can be easily tamed. It holds lessons to be learned, many about the intractability of human behavior and culture itself.

To read the Smogtown blog, click here.

CARB adopts critical clean air protections proposed by CCA

In December the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously in favor of a plan which includes a cap-and-trade program with clean air protections developed and advocated for by the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA). Without the protections developed by CCA, the policies being considered by CARB were likely to relocate additional pollution to communities already unfairly burdened by high levels of air pollution.

These new protections will ensure that low income communities and communities of color are protected and strengthened as CARB works to implement AB 32, California's landmark global warming legislation. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 1990 levels by 2020.

The partially adopted concept directs CARB to identify the most polluted California communities and reaffirms the need to protect every Californian, regardless of neighborhood. The plan limits the relocation of additional pollution sources to already polluted neighborhoods and strengthens these communities by directing resources and/or investments toward them.

California has once again demonstrated bold leadership in addressing climate change. We are one step closer to clean air because our leaders have acknowledged the need to ensure every Californian benefits from reduced pollution.

Life-saving truck rule gets green light

On a roll after adopting a rule to limit greenhouse gases, California continued its green streak by cracking down on diesel trucks and the deadly emissions they spew while crisscrossing our state roads and highways. Few sources of pollution have a greater impact on public health than heavy-duty diesel vehicles. We applaud the California Air Resource Board (CARB) for taking this life-saving action and tackling the single largest source of toxic pollution in our state.

At a time when everyone is grasping for an economic stimulus package, CARB has delivered theirs. It comes complete with money saving measures, including cutting costly medical expenses and lost work days, while providing truckers with an unprecedented amount of funding in order to clean their fleets and spare our air.

Did you know:

• Diesel trucks and buses account for nearly half of California's smog-forming pollution and a third of statewide particulate matter (PM) from diesel exhaust?
• Diesel PM is associated with premature death, asthma, cancer, stroke and heart attacks?
• Recent studies have show that Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley alone pay a $28 billion price tag (in missed work days and medical expenses) for breathing bad air?