By: Carolina Peña, EcoMadres Project Manager, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: May 2, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0985
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Carolina Peña, project manager of EcoMadres, the Latino engagement program of Moms Clean Air Force.
I am Bolivian and live in Arlington, Virginia.
The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. These emissions are driving climate change. And while trucks are an essential part of our economy, they also contribute to both noise and harmful air pollution. Strong limits on tailpipe pollution and a rapid switch to zero-emissions vehicles would reduce harm to our climate and our health.
According to the American Lung Association 2023 State of the Air report, nearly 36% of people in the US—119.6 million people—still live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particulate pollution. While this is 17.6 million fewer people breathing unhealthy air compared to last year’s report, there is still a great deal of work to be done.
Millions of people in the US live, play, and go to school near highways and truck routes where they are exposed to high levels of toxic exhaust from the constant stream of traffic. Often, it’s communities of color and low-income communities that face this pollution burden. The urgent transition to zero-emission trucks is a significant opportunity to reduce negative health outcomes and disparities in the communities adjacent to major truck traffic areas.
In 2020, 15 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico signed a memorandum of understanding committing to a goal of 30% medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2030, with the aim of reaching 100% ZEV sales by 2050. And the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $5 billion to help transform school bus fleets across America and put students and drivers on the road to a cleaner commute.
We are moving in the right direction, but strong federal leadership is required to ensure that the public health benefits of ZEV adoption are realized across the country.
As a rider of the DC Circulator bus, I have experience with electric vehicles, a transportation mode that offers equity, growth, and sustainability. I wish all cities and states could have a similar option for their citizens, especially since Latinos are frequent bus riders.
We have the technology to transition to cleaner vehicles—including heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses. It’s time for the Environmental Protection Agency to set the strongest possible vehicle emissions standards, consistent with the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, to protect our air and public health.
Thank you.