By: Shaina Oliver, Colorado State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: May 9, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0829
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Thank you for listening to my comments today. My name is Shaina Oliver. I’m a Field Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force/EcoMadres in Colorado. We are more than one million parents, guardians and caregivers fighting for clean air and a healthy climate across the US, with 41,000 members here in Colorado. Today I am testifying on behalf of Colorado parents who want to see a rapid transition to zero-emissions vehicles. Moms Clean Air Force is calling on EPA to finalize the strongest possible clean cars standards this year.
Importantly, I am an Indigenous mother of four kids. We are a family of six. My children and I are descendants and survivors of the genocide known as the “Indian Removal Act,” known to the Diné as “The Long Walk of the Navajo.”
As Indigenous people, we know environmental harms are embedded in our laws, policies, and governance. As a Diné, my people have seen our wealth, lands, and health become degraded due to these environmental harms.
My family is disproportionately impacted by pollution from cars, trucks, and industry in the Northeast Denver Metro area. As an Indigenous parent my family continues to be pushed to live near busy intersections and highway roads that are dangerous for our children and community members. And the Colorado Front Range continues to fail ozone pollution standards set by the EPA. Colorado now ranks as the 6th worst state for ozone pollution, and this year we made it to the 18th worst state for particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air” report.
As a community member living with asthma, I too am at risk of asthma attacks, stroke, and premature death. My youngest son, who is now 11 years old, was diagnosed with asthma last year. Indigenous, Black, and Brown communities are at higher risk of asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, leukemia, respiratory disease, adverse birth outcomes, and premature deaths than our white counterparts. Not to mention that when Indigenous families like mine leave the reservations we are redlined, segregated, and/or gentrified into areas with serious pollution problems. Because people of color are pushed to live near highways and industrial zoning areas that receive a hefty amount of traffic and particulate matter pollution, our communities—especially our children—face increased health risks.
Bottom line: parents in Colorado want to see a rapid transition to zero-emissions vehicles, and Moms Clean Air Force is calling on EPA to finalize the strongest possible Clean Car Standards this year. Thank you.