Opinion: CT will pay the price for failing to adopt EV standards

Connecticut Committee Rejects Common-Sense Tailpipe Pollution Standards

At the end of last year, Connecticut’s Legislative Regulation Review Committee had the opportunity to do what more than a dozen states across the country have already done — greenlight the adoption of a package of common-sense, tailpipe pollution standards.

The new programs, which would cut air and climate pollution from cars and trucks, had already been approved by the nonpartisan Legislative Commissioners’ Office, giving the committee the green light to proceed.

Missed Opportunity for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Instead, the committee, with seven Republicans and two defecting Democrats signaling they would vote down the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) standards, torpedoed efforts to clean up our transportation sector. Meanwhile, impacted communities across the state continue to wait for relief from tailpipe pollution in one of the most roadway-dense states in the country, which also has the highest rate of air pollution–linked deaths in New England.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

Vulnerable Communities at Risk

Connecticut residents living near major freight corridors and depots — which tend to be disproportionately low-income and communities of color — are especially vulnerable to tailpipe pollution, suffering high exposure and burdensome health impacts, even if they don’t drive a vehicle themselves.

Misinformation and Clean Vehicle Programs

Amidst the culture wars and misinformation campaigns, our state lawmakers seem to have lost sight of how clean vehicle programs work. No one is proposing to ban gas-powered cars from Connecticut, as those who have fought this program have asserted.

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Under ACCII, consumers would be able to buy new plug-in hybrids (which have gas tanks and internal combustion engines) in perpetuity, while the used car market, where the majority of consumers purchase vehicles, remains completely unregulated. Car buyers will also be able to purchase new gas-powered cars in the state until 2035 and drive them well beyond. Meanwhile, the program requires automakers to provide increasing numbers and models of electric vehicles to the state to give people clean car choices and incentivize manufacturers to introduce more affordable EVs.

The ACT rule would gradually increase the supply of pollution-free heavy-duty vehicles in Connecticut. Vans, trucks, and buses drive through densely populated areas every day to deliver packages, pick up garbage, and take kids to school — zero-emission options can help prevent our neighborhoods from being choked with health-harming diesel exhaust.

Lagging Behind Other States

The rest of the Northeast (including states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as Republican-led states like Vermont and Virginia) has passed us by in the fast lane on the road to clean vehicles. Ironically, major oil and gas-producing states like New Mexico and Colorado have already passed more stringent standards than Connecticut.

Impact of Opposition

The legislature’s decision not to take up these vital clean cars and trucks programs is a victory for the oil and gas industry, their front groups like Yankee Institute, and trade associations like the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, who have spread falsehoods and run misinformation throughout the state. Their “car ban” rhetoric is as dangerous as it is untrue. The result of this dishonest, cynical opposition has been the failure to protect residents from health-harming transportation pollution by Connecticut’s Republican and Democratic legislators.

Continued Delays and the Need for Action

Recently, many Democrats hoped to find consensus by reaching across the aisle with H.B. 5485, a bill that would establish a council to study EV charging infrastructure without committing to stronger air quality standards. But clean vehicle opponents in industry and politics oppose this bill, too, calling it a “clear path towards an electric vehicle mandate.” Time will tell if the majority party has learned their lesson — when they give an inch, the opposition takes a mile.

As the 2024 legislative session continues without decisive action on clean transportation, supporters of clean air and climate are left wondering if Connecticut’s leaders will stand up for policies they robustly supported as recently as 2022. Continued delays and political wrangling will only cause more pollution harm to the vulnerable residents opponents of clean air policies claim to support.

Signatories:

• Samantha Dynowski, State Director, Sierra Club Connecticut
• Andy Bauer, Chair, Portland Clean Energy Task Force
• Nathan Frohling, The Nature Conservancy of Connecticut
• Lori Brown, Executive Director, CT League of Conservation Voters
• Dr. Mark Mitchell, Mitchell Environmental Health Associates
• Sharon Lewis, CT Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice
• Shannon Laun, Conservation Law Foundation
• Jay Stange, Transport Hartford
• Tom Swan, Connecticut Citizen Action Group
• Barry Kresch, EV Club of Connecticut
• Diane Lauricella, Norwalk Zero Waste Coalition
• Charles Rothenberger, Save the Sound

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the impact of tailpipe pollution on air quality, health, and the environment. It highlights the need for clean vehicle programs to address these issues, which align with the goals of SDG 3 (improving health and well-being), SDG 7 (promoting clean energy), SDG 11 (creating sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (taking climate action), and SDG 15 (protecting life on land).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

The article emphasizes the need to reduce deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution (Target 3.9), improve energy efficiency in transportation (Target 7.3), address air quality issues in cities (Target 11.6), integrate climate change measures in policies (Target 13.2), and protect terrestrial ecosystems from pollution (Target 15.1).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Air pollution–linked deaths in New England: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9.
• Increasing numbers and models of electric vehicles: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 7.3.
• Health-harming transportation pollution: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.6.
• Passing more stringent standards than Connecticut: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 13.2.
• Preventing neighborhoods from being choked with health-harming diesel exhaust: This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 15.1.

These indicators provide measurable data to assess the progress made in reducing air pollution-related deaths, increasing the adoption of electric vehicles, addressing transportation pollution, implementing climate change measures, and protecting communities from harmful exhaust emissions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: ctmirror.org

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