John: Walk outside. Take a deep breath. And think about this: At this very moment, heavy-duty diesel big-rig trucks are the largest source of air pollution in our region. Diesel exhaust is toxic and includes more than 40 substances listed as hazardous air pollutants by the U.S. EPA and the state. At this very moment, children with undiagnosed asthma are in an emergency room or home sick instead of playing with their friends at the park or learning at school. A grandmother’s emphysema keeps her homebound and lonely. An employer looks at the empty cubicles and offices of employees missing work due to asthma attacks and cancer treatments. YOUR LUNGS ARE BREATHING THE SAME AIR AS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. BREATHE LA is reaching out to help bring clean air to you, your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues in communities throughout Southern California – so that we reduce the number of people that suffer from asthma, lung disease, heart disease and cancer caused by exposure to diesel exhaust pollution. Over the past several months we have been working to clean the air at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as they are the largest sources of diesel pollution in the state. We’ve called on elected and appointed officials to End Diesel Now by phasing out diesel-fueled big-rigs. In 2006, the Ports created and approved their Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) to reduce port-related air pollution and related health risks. A critical component of the CAAP is the implementation of a Clean Truck Fund (CTF) Rate. This Rate will be imposed on the large retailers like Walmart and Amazon, and the money raised will be used to help truckers afford cleaner, and ultimately, zero-emission trucks by 2035. WE NEED YOUR HELP! The ports are proposing a low rate of $10 per container moved in or out of the port, which will not raise enough funds to help provide subsidies for all the trucks that need to be replaced. The $10 proposal means the Ports are not serious about cleaning up the air pollution and reducing asthma and cancer rates related to diesel pollution. We countered with a rate of $50 per container, which will provide enough funds to make sure truckers have the money to buy clean-fueled trucks instead of replacing their semis with another diesel truck. We need your help to convince the ports this is right amount. TAKE ACTION TO SAVE LIVES! SIGN OUR PETITION: Please visit End Diesel Now and sign our petition that calls on Mayor Garcetti, Mayor Garcia, and other elected and appointed officials to protect our health by implementing a $50 CTF Rate. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: Make your voice heard and tell your story at the upcoming Harbor Commission meetings where the CTF Rate will be decided. The Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commission meeting will take place on Thursday, February 20th at 9 a.m. at 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731. The Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission meeting will take place on Monday, February 24th at 1:30 p.m. at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. If you want additional information, or wish to join us at these meetings, please contact Raj Dhillon at [email protected] or at (323) 935-8050 x233. A DONATION CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE! We hope you will continue to help us make progress in our campaign to End Diesel Now. Please make a gift today by visiting here. Thank you for your valuable support of this important effort. It will help us all breathe easier.  Visit EndDieselNow.org here! Regards, Marc Carrel President & CEO ‌ ‌ ‌ BREATHELA.ORG Breathe California of Los Angeles County | 5858 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!