| December 12, 2008 |  |
Air Board Truck Votes Could Cut Oil Dependence, Save Lives, Help Solve Global Warming, Science Group Says
BERKELEY (December 12, 2008) — The California Air Resources Board is expected to vote today on two new rules that would dramatically reduce toxic emissions and global warming pollution from big-rig trucks that operate in the state.
"These rules are long overdue," said Don Anair, a senior vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). "Cleaning up trucks will go a long way to protect our health, our environment, and our economy."
Anair recently authored a report that analyzed the potential for reducing fuel use and global warming pollution from trucks. The report found that if truck operators in the state installed readily available technology, it would result in 1.4 billion gallons in annual fuel savings. Between now and 2020, it would result in $21.5 billion in cumulative reduced fuel costs (in 2008 dollars, at a diesel price $3.24 per gallon). In the year 2020 alone, installing cleaner technology would result in global warming pollution reductions equivalent to removing 2.5 million cars and trucks from the road.
While CARB's draft rule will not require the maximum level of reductions the UCS report analyzed, it will still result in significant fuel and cost savings as well as pollution reductions.
CARB estimates the toxic pollution rule would prevent 9,400 premature deaths and thousands of hospitalizations for heart and lung disease associated with poor air quality over the next 15 years.
A number of prominent scientists and physicians, including current and former government officials and the head of the University of California Los Angeles' School of Public Health, sent a letter on December 10 to CARB urging the board to pass the toxic emissions rule.
CARB estimates the benefits of the two new rules in reduced hospitalizations, asthma attacks, and other health problems would amount to $48 billion to $68 billion over the next 15 years. The global warming rule is expected to result in net savings $8.5 billion for truck operators.
The cost of implementing the toxic pollution rule, by contrast, would amount to $5.5 billion over the same period. And the capital investment required to meet the requirement of the global warming rule are between $8 and $10 billion.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
