Press Release

Coalition for Clean Air Applauds Decision by State to
Withdraw Request to Delay Federal Air Pollution Standards

SACRAMENTO – The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) praised the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) decision today to rescind its request for an extension to meet federal air pollution standards.

“We’re very pleased that the Schwarzenegger Administration has withdrawn its request for an additional five years to achieve the particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) clean air standards,” said Tim Carmichael, President/CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air.

“The Coalition for Clean Air was very concerned about the proposed delay because this air pollutant can cause severe health effects that include asthma, cancer and premature death,” Carmichael said. “Particulate matter 2.5 is one of the most harmful forms of air pollution. These microscopic particles of soot – smaller than the width of a human hair – can lodge deep in the lungs and cause irreversible damage. Children, whose lungs are still developing, are especially at risk.”

In a March 12 letter to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, CARB had asked for an extension to 2020 without any public comment or disclosure. The state has until 2015 to meet PM 2.5 standards under the Federal Clean Air Act.

Today, however, CARB sent another letter to US EPA, this time asking that the state request for an extension be dropped.

The economic and human losses caused by particulate matter air pollution are devastating for California. In 2004, CARB estimated the financial toll from PM 2.5 pollution that exceeds California's standards at $43 billion annually. The state can not afford to delay reducing these deadly emissions that harm all Californians.

“We look forward to working with the Schwarzenegger Administration to quickly reduce California’s pollution and to meet clean air deadlines required by the Federal Clean Air Act,” Carmichael said.

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For more than 35 years, the nonprofit Coalition for Clean Air has been committed to restoring clean, healthy air to all of California. With offices in Los Angeles, Fresno and Sacramento, it is dedicated to strengthening the environmental movement by promoting broad-based community involvement, advocating responsible public policy and providing technical expertise.

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