Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Transportation Commission Turns Toward Clean Air

Yesterday I joined other clean-air advocates from around the state in asking the CA Transportation Commission to reinstate air quality as one of the key factors to consider when bond money to improve trade corridors is doled out. The CTC had previously removed air quality from the list of criteria compiled by its own staff, but after public testimony yesterday the commissioners restored it to the list. Breathers who live near busy ports and rail and truck routes now can have some hope that the public's money will be spent on transportation projects that make the air cleaner, not dirtier.

This decision may signal the beginning of a new and much-needed integration of transportation and air-quality policies at the state level. Dale Bonner, Secretary of Business, Transportation & Housing, kept an open mind and met with all the interested parties, including state and local air quality advocates. The Air Resources Board also deserves credit for speaking up at yesterday’s meeting.

Bill Magavern, Senior Representative, Sierra Club California

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Bill Magavern, for all you do!!

Anonymous said...

I am working with Southern California Edison right now to encourage people to replace traditional light bulbs with CFLs. The benefit is substantial: CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.

If every household in California switched five incandescent bulbs for CFLs, it would be the equivalent of taking 400,000 cars off the road.

SCE is holding a contest, too…you can post a video or photo of yourself with a CFL to www.sce.com/pledge. The winner may be selected to appear in an SCE television commercial. Check out the details at www.sce.com/pledge.