URGENT ACTION! BREATHE LA Advocacy Alert - Support Governor's EPA Lawsuit

EPA Deals Detrimental Blow to Clean Air in California and 16 other States.
Join BREATHE LA in supporting Governor Schwarzenneger lawsuit against the EPA.
Act now by contacting the EPA to voice your concern!!!!
After nearly two years of delay, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rejected California's request to apply strict regulations that would reduce tailpipe emissions from passenger cars and light trucks. The EPA decision to deny the California waiver request, will also affect 16 additional states that wish to implement tough and progressive emission standards that are more stringent than those currently required by the EPA. Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed to appeal the decision and pursue every legal opportunity to overturn the EPA's decision. The Governor's lawsuit is expected to be filed in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals within the next three weeks. You can ensure California‘s right to Clean Air by contacting EPA administrator Stephen Johnson and join BREATHE LA in condemning the EPA's decision to deny clean air in California. Contact information and sample language are provided below for your convenience:

EPA Headquarters
Administrator Stephen Johnson
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-4700
Email: johnson.stephen@epa.gov

EPA Region 9 Office
Administrator Stephen Johnson
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 947-8000
(866) EPA-WEST (toll free in Region 9)
Fax: (415) 947-3553
Email: r9.info@epa.gov

Summary

December 20,2007 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his intention to file a lawsuit in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to challenge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) denial of California's tailpipe emissions waiver request. Historically, California's own vehicle emission standards surpass those required by Federal Law. Under the Clean Air Act, California has routinely filed waiver requests to implement more stringent emissions standards. However, this is the first time EPA has ever denied a waiver request from the state. The EPA's decision is a major blow to California's efforts to cut global warming pollution from cars. The EPA's decision will have lasting effects not only in California but throughout the country as sixteen other states plan to implement similar emissions programs.

"I am extremely disappointed by EPA's decision to block the will of millions of people in California and 16 other states who want us to take tough action against global warming" stated Governor Schwarzenegger, "EPA's denial of our waiver request to enact the nation's cleanest standards for vehicle emissions is legally indefensible and another example of the failure to treat climate change with the seriousness it demands."

BREATHE LA stands with the Governor in California's effort to fight this outrageous attempt by the Administration to keep states from implementing measures that will curb global warming. BREATHE LA will be working with the Governor's office and with the rest of the environmental community to ensure that the EPA decision if overturned.

What BREATHE LA is doing:
BREATHE LA continues to be active in environmental and health issues, global warming and air quality.
What you can do:
We encourage you to contact the EPA to voice your disappointment in the EPA decision denying California's request for a Tailpipe Emissions waiver either by sending written correspondence via email, letter, fax or taking a moment to place a call.

Thank you for your continued support of BREATHE LA Advocacy issues. Your commitment can ensure a clean air future for Los Angeles.

Remember, the human body can go for days without food or water, but only moments without air. Each year thousands of people in Los Angeles County die from illnesses related to air pollution.

SAMPLE LETTER
Administrator Stephen Johnson Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
N.W. Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Johnson:

As a concerned resident of Los Angeles County and an advocate of clean air and healthy lungs for all Californians, I strongly urge you to reverse your decision to deny California's request for a Tailpipe Emissions waiver. I am profoundly disappointed that the EPA is seemingly going out of its way to block states from doing real work to cut global warming pollution from automobiles. In effect, the administration is putting the brakes on state action to address the global warming crisis. California has been waiting two years for EPA to decide on this waiver request. Until now, EPA had granted all 50 previous waiver requests over the last 40 years. While science tells us we must take urgent action to dramatically cut our global warming pollution or face potentially catastrophic consequences, your decision demonstrates a blind eye to the urgent threat of global warming. Given the tremendous environmental and health risks posed by your decision to deny clean air for Californians, I will do everything I can to support BREATHE LA and Governor Schwarzenegger in their efforts to appeal your decision.

Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], CA, [ZIP CODE]

PHONE SCRIPT
BREATHE LA encourages you to contact EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson regarding the EPA's outrageous decision to deny clean air for Californians. A draft phone script is provided below for your convenience.When calling the Administrator's office, it is important that you clearly state who you are, where you live and the reason for your call.

"Hi, my name is (insert your name) and I'm a resident of (insert your city, California).

I'm calling to express my disappointment with Administrator Johnson's decision to deny California's request for a tailpipe emissions waiver earlier this week.
At a time when we must all do our part to stop global warming, the EPA decision is a virtual slap in the face for California's air quality.
Until now, EPA had granted all 50 previous waiver requests over the last 40 years. While science tells us we must take urgent action to dramatically cut our global warming pollution or face potentially catastrophic consequences, your decision demonstrates a blind eye to the urgent threat of global warming.
Given the tremendous environmental and health risks posed by your decision to deny clean air for Californians. I will do everything I can to support BREATHE LA and Governor Schwarzenegger in their efforts to appeal your decision.

For further information about this important bill, please contact Nicole Shahenian, Environmental Policy Manager for BREATHE LA at (323) 935-8050
or via e-mail at NShahenian@breathla.org