[GPCA Updates] GREEN ADVISORY: Greens say delaying diesel emission rules would be 'criminal'

[Green Party of California Updates]

        News Advisory
THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
    http://www.cagreens.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009



Air Resources Board decision to delay diesel emission rules
would be ‘criminal,' and cost Californians dearly in lost
lives, and medical costs, charges Green Party

SACRAMENTO – If planned life-saving regulations mandating new,
sensible diesel pollution are abandoned today (Wednesday) by the
California Air Resources Board it could be considered a
"criminal" act that will inexcusably continue the suffering and
shortened lives of millions of people in the state, said the
Green Party of California.

The ARB is deciding whether to delay - once again - the
long-sought regulations because industry now claims the recession
has cut the use of diesel-polluting trucks and equipment used in
construction and the regulations are not necessary.  The
regulations are due to take effect in 2011.

The Green Party argues that reduced diesel use because of the
recession should not delay the mandated retrofits and upgrades.
The party suggests that the air is still dirty and dangerous, and
that the state should do more, not less.

"The savings in lost lives and medical costs far outstrips
industry claims, which pale by comparison to the $28 billion lost
per year to the California economy because of bad air. To not
move forward with these regulations would be criminal," said Wes
Rolley, member of the Green Party of the United States Eco-Action
committee.

"Industry, naturally, wants to have these rules delayed -
something it has managed to do several  times over the years
which has helped pollute our air and sicken our people. Industry
says it wants more ‘breathing' room. But, what we all need is
clean, breathable air for Californians who daily have to suffer
from the deadly fumes spewed from these trucks, and watch their
families needlessly suffer  from this pollution," said Lisa
Green, 2010 Assembly candidate from Venice.

In fact, say Greens and other environmentalists, the regulations
are expected to prevent at least 10,000 premature deaths a year –
and save billions of dollars in medical costs and work time loss
to the public.

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