Rep. Barragán Leads Call for EPA to Crack Down on Air Pollution Loopholes And Applauds New Locomotive Rule in California

     WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) May 4 led 24 Members in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA urging the swift closure of startup, shutdown, and malfunction or SSM loopholes that exist across regulations implementing the Clean Air Act. 

The Clean Air Act had several loopholes when it was enacted that allowed industrial facilities, such as refineries and power plants, to emit pollution during a startup, shutdown, or malfunction of the facility. The loopholes allow industrial facilities in communities across the country to emit massive amounts of deadly pollution with no accountability, and often exceed the facilities’ annual emissions caps. These pollutants – including soot, benzene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, acid gases, and cyclohexane – put residents fence line communities at higher risk for cancer, respiratory ailments, birth defects, and other health risks.

Rep. Barragán said industrial facilities in the 44th district and across the country have emitted deadly amounts of pollution into low-income communities and communities of color due to startup, shutdown, and malfunction loopholes. 

“The effects of that pollution are felt acutely in the form of cancers, hospitalizations, high health bills, and lifelong illnesses,” Rep. Barragán said. “We are calling on Administrator Regan to close these loopholes as quickly as possible to ensure fence line communities across the country can breathe clean air.”

      On April 28 Rep Barragán applauded the California Air Resources Board’s or CARB approval of a locomotive rule that will bring significant public health and quality of life improvements to communities across California. During the week of April 24, Barragán sent a letter to CARB urging the Board to adopt this strong regulation. 

Rep. Barragán said CARB took a huge step toward protecting frontline communities from railroad pollution and advancing zero-emission transportation by adopting a strong locomotive rule. 

“The rule … will restrict excessive idling, accelerate the transition to zero-emission rail, and contribute to cleaner air, especially in communities like Wilmington and West Long Beach that are disproportionately impacted by deadly rail pollution. I applaud CARB and the environmental and health organizations who have fought for decades to correct this environmental injustice,” said Rep. Barragán.

CARB estimates the new rule will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions across the state by nearly 63 tons each day. Full implementation of the rule is also projected to prevent 3,200 premature deaths and over 1,400 emergency room visits, while saving almost $32 billion in health expenses.

Details: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/rulemaking/2022/locomotive