Cal/EPA Secretary outlines air quality benefits of 
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Strategic Growth Plan

SACRAMENTO, CA (03/08/06) – California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) Secretary Alan C. Lloyd, Ph.D., has predicted air quality measures funded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Strategic Growth Plan will eliminate 360,000 tons of air pollution over the next 15 years.

"The Governor’s plan invests $2 billion to clean up the largest sources of air pollution in California – diesel trucks, trains, ships and equipment serving our ports," said Dr. Lloyd. "These funds could be put to work immediately to improve air quality throughout California."

In addition to the $2 billion for air quality measures, the Strategic Growth Plan invests $105 billion in projects that will relieve traffic congestion and reduce Californians’ exposure to air pollution along the state’s highways.

Dr. Lloyd told lawmakers the Strategic Growth Plan will complement the Schwarzenegger administration’s ongoing efforts to improve air quality, including:
 

Permanently funding the Carl Moyer diesel retrofit program at $140 million per year to replace old, dirty diesel engines with new, cleaner models

Establishing the most ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction goals in the world, and directing Cal/EPA to lead a multi-agency effort to meet the goals

Supporting regulations adopted by the Air Resources Board requiring automakers to begin producing vehicles with reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2009

Launching the Hydrogen Highway Initiative to build the infrastructure needed to support zero-emission hydrogen vehicles

Supporting the Breathe Easier program to remove 15,000 gross-polluting vehicles from the road by July 2006, reducing more than 900 tons of smog-forming pollutants

Dr. Lloyd added, "This comprehensive package of clean air measures ensures that California continues to clean up the largest sources of air pollution that impact our health and quality of life."