California's Zero Emission Vehicle Program

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http://www.latimes.com/communities/news/pasadena_metro/20010104/tpw0002171.h

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BREATHE DEEP

Quite recently, I became aware of the magnitude of air pollution

problems due to automobile emissions in Southern California, especially the

Los Angeles and San Valley areas.

I live in South Pasadena, a very environmentally aware community, and I

feel that this is a subject that should be brought to the attention of the

entire Pasadena community.

Air quality in California is the worst in the country. Asthma is the

leading cause of kids missing school. Our state needs to take serious steps

to decrease air pollution.

In 1990 the California Air Resources Board started a Zero Emission

Vehicle Program. This program mandated that by 2003, 10% of all new cars

sold in the state would be Zero Emission Vehicles.

On Sept. 9, board members of the California Air Resources Board stated

their strong support for the Zero Emission Vehicle program. They passed a

resolution (11 to 0) calling for no major changes in the program, while

their staff members were directed to create a report to show how this would

be implemented.

Two weeks ago, the staff for the California Air Resources Board

released a set of recommendations for the implementation of the Zero

Emission Vehicle program. The recommendations are not consistent with the

statements made by state air board members at the September hearing.

The new report released by the staff is not a good report.

Specifically, it does the following: Reduces the percentage of Zero

Emission Vehicles to 2%; pushes back the time line for their introduction to

2005 and beyond.

We must write letters and make phone calls to the governor and

California Air Resources Board members to make sure that they do not follow

the recommendations of staff.

Specifically, we need to make sure that we don't reduce the number of

pure Zero Emission Vehicles and that we don't push the time line back.

EVE K. LEY

South Pasadena