Calif. air regulators issue plan to cut pollution from goods movement
California air regulators last week issued a draft plan to curb harmful emissions from cargo movement activities in the state, a part of the state's effort to increase velocity on California's roads while cutting pollution from trade.
The report, released by the state Air Resources Board, estimates that emissions from current goods movement activities result in approximately 750 premature deaths per year.
'Without additional emissions control, that figure will rise to approximately 920 premature deaths per year by 2020,' the report said. 'To put that number in perspective, ARB staff estimates that the total statewide deaths associated with particulate matter and ozone exposure above the levels of the State standards are approximately 9,000 per year.
'The economic valuation of these health effects is substantial, assuming the standard value of $9.3 million dollars (in 2020) per life ended prematurely. For the 15-year period between 2005 and 2020, staff estimates an aggregate health impact equivalent to approximately $70 billion in present value dollars. Reducing these health impacts as quickly as possible is essential.'
The 120-page report includes 60 pages of emission reduction strategies.
'Specific actions to reduce goods movement emissions are already underway,' the report said. 'Rules for sources under ARB's direct regulatory authority have been adopted and more are on the way. Likewise, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working on national regulations affecting marine vessels, locomotives and harbor craft, scheduled for promulgation next year. Together, ARB staff, U.S. EPA staff and other state representatives are exploring a potential 'Sulfur Emission Control Area' designation for parts of the U.S. coastline, which would require all visiting vessels to use lower sulfur fuels.'
The report is available at on the Web at http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/gmerp/gmerp.htm .