Los Angeles– On Tuesday, November 9, leading environmental justice advocates participated in a virtual roundtable discussion escalating their demand that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopt more stringent zero-emission vehicle policies to achieve climate and environmental justice. The final draft of the update to the Advanced Clean Cars program is expected in the coming weeks.
Systemic inequities resulting from disproportionate exposure to tailpipe pollution and the impacts of climate change plague low-income communities of color across California. CARB has a limited opportunity to improve its comprehensive Advanced Clean Cars program to directly address systemic inequities by delivering accessible zero-emission transportation options to frontline communities.
The panelists stated the following:
Dave Reichmuth, Senior Engineer, Union of Concerned Scientists
“We are experiencing wildfires and other climate disasters that show us that we need to make an urgent change. We do not have time to wait for the transition to zero-emission vehicles to happen; the time is now. The Advanced Clean Cars Program is just one piece of the solution and it must be stronger because it will underlie a lot of the State efforts moving forward.”
Roman Partida-Lopez, Legal Counsel, Transportation Equity, Greenlining Institute
“The state of California has made investments to improve on the benefits that are going to low-income communities, but this is not enough. The Advanced Clean Cars II is the second stage that presents an opportunity to center equity and accessibility for all households. CARB must develop a stringent policy and incentive programs that prioritize equity and push the boundaries for how we address climate change to ensure that low income households receive direct investments and access.”
Rey León, Executive Director, The Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy (LEAP) Institute
“We started the Green Raiteros electric vehicle rideshare program to provide farmworker families with much needed clean transportation options. Subsidies are not set up for low-income communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution, yet these are the communities most in need. We need more stringent policy that will result in innovation for the future of frontline communities.”
Click here to access the recording of the event