Comment Log Display

Chairman Nichols and Members of the Board:

Thank you for considering an easing of the devastating diesel
regulations.  I often communicate with individuals who share horror
stories with me of being forced to purchase retrofits of their
trucks that cost in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of
thousands of dollars.

These are real human beings, and they are already struggling to get
by.  If not offered relief, many will go out of business or leave
the state, costing our state even more jobs and hurting our already
fragile economy.

Aside from the very serious impact diesel regulations will have on
our jobs and economy, they are based on a study by a researcher who
both falsified his credentials and overestimated pollution by up to
300%.  This is not a sound basis for policies which harm the
livelihoods of California citizens.

Beyond the questionability of the study upon which the regulations
were based, please also consider the role of economics on public
health.  Nations with the highest poverty rates also have the
highest infant mortality rates and lowest life expectancies.  A
conversation on public health is not complete without considering
how harmful economic impacts also detract from citizens ability to
pay for quality medical care.

With even the San Francisco Chronicle reporting on the pollution
overestimates, now is an ideal time for the Board to revise its
diesel policy to take into account the needs of affected citizens,
taxpayers and business owners.

Respectfully submitted,


Eric Eisenhammer
Founder
Coalition of Energy Users