Imagine this: there is a polluter in your community, and both you and your neighbors have spent decades working to clean it up. Just as the agency that oversees the polluter is considering new rules to reduce emissions, a new law from the State Capitol ties the agency’s hands from passing a strong rule.
For decades, advocates have been pushing to reduce pollution from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The port complex is the largest single source of pollution in Southern California. After nearly ten years of deliberation, consultation, negotiations and frustration, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is aiming to pass a new rule later this year. This rule would only require the ports to begin planning to build out infrastructure for zero-emissions equipment.
That sounds like something straight out of Texas or Florida, right? But if Senate Bill 34 passes in Sacramento, that very thing will happen right here in California! That is why we are asking you to contact the members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee before July 7th and ask them to vote NO on SB 34.
Yet instead of engaging constructively in the rulemaking process, the rule’s opponents instead are seeking interference from Sacramento. SB 34, by Senator Laura Richardson, would undermine the open, inclusive public process that has been underway for over two years. Rather than “bringing people to the table,” as stated by Senator Richardson and the bill’s supporters, SB 34’s intentionally vague language would make effective rulemaking over the ports impossible. And that is exactly the point: to create paralysis and endless litigation to prevent life-saving clean air rules from moving forward.
California, however, cannot afford to waiver in the fight for clean air. Already, Southern California is home to the smoggiest air in the country, and our state persistently violates air quality standards. The federal government can implement sanctions for violating those air quality standards. While no one expects the Trump Administration to pass stronger rules, it can withhold federal highway funding. In fact, back in 2019, the first Trump Administration was seriously considering such action over the San Joaquin Valley’s air pollution challenges.
More important, however, is the fact that failing to clean up our air will put the health and lives of millions in jeopardy. It would also make South Coast AQMD’s commitment to environment justice communities to reduce port pollution impossible to meet. We should not be hamstringing the agency that oversees the ports. Frontline communities deserve clean air – not new legal barriers meant to protect profits over public health.
Your voice is critically important. The polluter lobby is attacking California’s climate leadership at every level of government. Decades of hard work and progress are under threat; if SB 34 passes, this threat will only grow. Contact the members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee before July 7th and ask them to stand up for clean air and vote NO on SB 34.
How to Take Action:
SAMPLE LETTER
TARGET: California State Assembly Natural Resources Committee
I am writing today to urge you to vote NO on SB34.
SB34 is a dangerous bill that would halt a collaborative public process for a policy that is already underway. It would tie the hands of local air regulators while handing port operators the license to pollute our air for years to come.
The Ports of LA and Long Beach are the largest fixed source of air pollution in all of Southern California — pumping out 100 tons of smog-forming air pollution every day. They play a major role in why LA gets a failing grade from the American Lung Association every year. The large trucks, ships, and cargo handling equipment churn out some of the most dangerous kinds of air pollution for human health.
This is not just about Southern California: the bill would set a disturbing precedent for tying the hands of air districts across California from doing their jobs to establish basic health protections for people in the state.
Now is not the moment to halt progress being made by California’s air regulators. Congress and the Trump administration have attacked California’s car and truck standards, and state leaders need to do everything they can to fight smoggy skies and protect Californians’ health. Asthma already costs Californians $13 billion a year, and we can’t afford to breathe dirty air any longer.
I am calling on you to stand up for the health of Californians living with the most polluted air in the country by voting NO on SB34.
TALKING POINTS FOR PHONE CALL
- I am calling to urge you to VOTE on SB34.
- SB 34 is a dangerous bill that would cost Californians millions as it ties the hands of local control for cleaner air.
- The Ports of LA and Long Beach are major contributors to the air pollution in Southern California and SB34 would halt a collaborative public process for a life-saving rule already underway.
- This couldn’t be coming at a worse time. We can’t hamstring our local air regulators while the Trump administration attacks California’s car and truck standards.
- Now is the moment for our state legislators to do everything they can to fight smoggy skies and protect our health. Vote NO on SB34.
