IN SUPPORT OF EPA’S TIER 3 CLEANER GASOLINE AND VEHICLES

WHEREAS, mayors recognize that half of the United States population is exposed to air pollution levels that fail to meet national ambient air quality standards; and

WHEREAS, two pollutants, ground level ozone and particulate matter pollution, can trigger asthma attacks, cause complications for those with other lung diseases, contribute to heart attacks, cancer and pre-term births and result in premature deaths; and

WHEREAS, motor vehicles are a significant contributor to both ozone and particulate matter; and

WHEREAS, tailpipe pollution poses a particular threat to vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, those already suffering from existing diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes; and

WHEREAS, near-roadway exposure to traffic pollution is more widespread than previously thought with up to 45 percent of the urban North American population living, going to work or school within 300 to 500 meters of a major roadway; and

WHEREAS, United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) analysis projects that by 2030 the Cleaner Gasoline and Vehicles standard will prevent up to 2,400 premature deaths, 3,200 hospital admissions and asthma-related emergency room visits, 22,000 asthma exacerbations and 1.8 million lost school days and work days each year; and

WHEREAS, these public health benefits can be achieved for about a penny per gallon of gasoline, and for about $130 for new, cleaner vehicles; and

WHEREAS, updates to current tailpipe emissions standards and lowering the sulfur level in gasoline to 10 parts per million will result in significant reductions in emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds emissions that contribute to the formation of ozone and particulate matter pollution; and

WHEREAS, domestic and international auto manufactures have testified before the EPA that the standards are achievable with readily available technology; and

WHEREAS, domestic refineries are already producing 10 ppm sulfur for some markets; and

WHEREAS, the cleaner gasoline standard will immediately reduce emissions from vehicles currently on the road by ensuring the emissions control technologies on these vehicles function at the highest efficiency; and

WHEREAS, automakers, emissions control manufacturers, labor groups, consumer groups, public health groups, environmental groups and social justice groups support Cleaner Gasoline and Vehicle Standards because of significant benefits to industry, public health and the environment; and

WHEREAS, the benefits are widely distributed and are especially important to minority and low income populations who are disproportionately impacted by asthma and other debilitating health conditions; and

WHEREAS, clean, healthy air is a fundamental American right,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports the EPA’s proposed Tier 3 Cleaner Gasoline and Vehicle Standards and urges that the standards be signed final before December 31, 2013.