Schwarzenegger putting China interests over CA

The Schwarzenegger administration is fast-tracking a plan to expand the number of trucks, ships and trains carrying cargo and major air pollution around the state – a move that community-based groups and environmental organizations such as the Coalition For Clean Air are calling a disaster waiting to happen.  “The administration is making a major mistake by moving forward at such a frantic pace with little input from the neighborhoods who will be most affected by increased diesel pollution,” said Todd Campbell, Policy and Science Director for the Coalition For Clean Air. 

During a March 24th public meeting on the administration’s plan, the Coalition for Clean Air, along with a number of other organizations, challenged the state’s plan and decision-making process on cargo movement.  “It seems like they are more interested in keeping pace with China trade than in whether Californians find massive increases in trade and air pollution, traffic and congestion levels to remotely acceptable,” said Campbell.  Trucks, ships and trains already spew alarming levels of filthy air pollution onto neighborhoods near and downwind of freeways, seaports and railroads.  Studies show that such neighborhoods have some of the highest levels of cancer, premature deaths, and asthma in the state.  "This report gets a solid F in terms of truly evaluating all the potential effects of tripling trade over the next two decades," said Campbell. 

The administration is accepting public comments until April 8th.  The state's report on the ports can be viewed at www.arb.ca.gov/gmp/docs/draftreport031805.pdf.  Please write Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak, Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, 980 9th Street, Suite 2450, Sacramento, CA 95814-2719, or fax to 916-323-5440, by April 8th, and make it clear that Californians expect the Schwarzenegger plan to increase cargo trade movement around California to include actual protections of Californian’s health, traffic congestion and road condition from dirty diesel blowing trucks, ships and trains.