By: Jennifer Cantley, Nevada State Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: May 2, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0985
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Hello, my name is Jennifer Cantley, and I am proud to be a member of Moms Clean Air Force. Five years ago, I opened the Nevada chapter of this organization, and today, I am testifying in support of the proposed standards and calling on the EPA to finalize strong greenhouse gas standards for trucks this year.
As born and raised Nevadan, living on Washoe Tribal Territory. I understand firsthand the effects of air pollution and climate pollution on our health. Nevada is no stranger to extreme heat, and with climate change worsening each year, I worry about the future of our state. In fact, the state's average temperature has increased by 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the last century, and the rising temperatures are only making wildfires more frequent and severe. So much that my family had to evacuate from our home last year and the year before.
As a mother of three boys with asthma and a mother with mild COPD after Covid, I have personally witnessed the devastating effects of air pollution on our health. It is my belief that stronger greenhouse gas standards for trucks are crucial in protecting the health of our children and communities, because they will accelerate our transition to zero-emissions vehicles that don’t spew toxic tailpipe pollution into the air. I also worry about the impact of climate change and air pollution on the future of our children, and I know that we need to take action now to protect them and our communities.
It is crucial that we take action now to protect the health of our children and communities. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and within the transportation sector, heavy-duty vehicles contribute 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are driving climate change, and climate change worsens air quality in a number of ways, contributing to respiratory illnesses like asthma and the COPD I live with every day.
That's why I am calling for stronger greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty vehicles. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, we can help stabilize the climate and protect the health of our families. Strong clean truck standards will also reduce the pollution that contributes to poor air quality by speeding our transition to zero-emissions vehicles, and to ensure a safer and healthier future for our children.
In conclusion, I urge the EPA to finalize strong clean truck standards this year, consistent with the Advanced Clean Trucks rules. The benefits of these standards are clear—they will address climate change, protect the health of our families, and reduce pollution. We cannot wait any longer to take action and protect our communities and our planet. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.