Top Priority Air Quality Legislation Passes California Assembly - SB 974 Is One Step Closer To The Governor's Desk

By Traci Sheehan
Executive Director
Planning and Conservation League

After months of waiting, SB 974 (Lowenthal), the Clean Ports Investment Bill, passed out of the State Assembly by a vote of 45 to 23. SB 974 is the most important piece of legislation currently before the Legislature to improve the state's air quality. By collecting $30 for each shipping container processed at the ports, SB 974 provides a consistent stream of funding to address the severe air pollution caused by the movement of goods into our state's three main ports.

Operations at the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland along with related freight transport generate 30% of the statewide emissions of nitrogen oxide (a smog-forming pollutant) and 75% of all diesel particulate matter pollution. These pollutants contribute to increased rates of asthma, respiratory disease, and premature death. In fact, diesel pollution is the worst toxic air contaminant in California, responsible for 70% of the state's air pollution-related cancer risk.

According to the California Air Resources Board, each year air pollution from freight transportation causes:

• 3,700 Californians to die prematurely-(more than 10 a day)

• 2,830 Californians to be admitted to the hospital-(more than 7 a day)

• 360,000 Californians to miss work-(more than 1,300 per work day), and

• 1.1 million California children to miss school-(more than 6,000 per school day).

Neighborhoods adjacent to our state's three large ports and connecting freight routes are hardest hit by air pollution. These are often low-income communities of color. For example, the community surrounding the Port of Oakland is 93% people of color and has a median income of just over $21,000. Trade through our ports is expected to triple in less than 20 years.

SB 974 is the best chance we have to raise the necessary funding to bring these numbers down and protect public health. After the measure goes back for a concurrence vote in the State Senate, it will then go to the Governor for a signature. SB 974 supporters have been working with the Governor's office since last August and are optimistic that he will sign the measure.

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