By: Stephanie Reese, Director for DEIJ and Strategic Implementation, Moms Clean Air Force
Date: May 3, 2023
About: Environmental Protection Agency Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0985
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Stephanie Reese, and I am a proud staff member of Moms Clean Air Force. I'm joining you from Northern Virginia, an area deeply affected by the issue at hand, and near a major route for trucks—I-95. On behalf of Moms Clean Air Force, I am here to express our unequivocal support for the proposed standards and call on EPA to finalize strong clean truck standards this year. The necessity for these stronger transportation standards is essential in the ongoing fight to protect the health of our children, our communities, and our shared environment. We can’t continue to kick the can down the road, this is urgent, and it's time we act decisively.
The escalating climate change crisis, fueled in part by carbon emissions from heavy duty trucks and other transportation, is on the minds of many parents like me. From the surge in extreme weather events to the long-term impacts on health and livelihoods, it's a future that has put me in a state of fear. I am fearful for my son’s health, their safety and their future. Strong standards will not only help to fight the climate crisis but should accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles, which will reduce air pollution.
I live near a bustling transportation route. I-95 is just 1 minute around the corner from where me and my family live. Every day I bear witness to the harmful pollution left in the wake of heavy-duty trucks. I am the mother of two active boys who love to be outdoors. I am concerned that if changes aren’t made to how we are addressing the causes of air pollution, that eventually their outdoor adventures could be limited. As a mother I worry about what will happen when the air quality gets too bad for them to be able to go outside and enjoy playing as brothers do, often roughly, but always in good fun.
We can do more, we can do better for our children and their future. We don’t have to leave the burden on their shoulders to fix the damage that we, their parents, aunts, uncles, left behind.
We can adopt stronger standards for clean trucks now. Data from the EPA shows that over 45 million people in the U.S live within 300 feet of a major roadway or transportation facility. This means that these individuals and families are consistently exposed to harmful emissions.
It's crucial to also acknowledge that communities of color are disproportionately impacted by this pollution and are often located near these transport hubs. Plainly put, “People of color breathe more hazardous air.” The right to clean air should be universal, and now more than ever, we need to make this a reality. A swift transition to zero-emissions trucks is a crucial step in this journey, encompassing both environmental sustainability and social equity.
In closing, I urge the EPA to adopt the most stringent greenhouse gas rules, consistent with the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, for heavy-duty trucks. The health and future of our children, our communities, and our planet hang in the balance. It's time we put people first, health above convenience, and our children's future above short-term gains. I implore you to protect our health, the futures of my sons, and the world they will grow up in by promptly finalizing these standards.
Thank you for your time and consideration.