This spring, our state leaders decided against adopting new, life-saving clean car and truck standards and instead sent the standards back to a commission for further review. Because of their choice to succumb to the fossil fuel industry’s relentless misinformation campaign, tailpipe pollution will continue to threaten the health of families across the state, especially those living in communities near the state’s most congested roadways. Now, a new Sierra Club report underscores how transportation emissions significantly contribute to health-harming smog.
Smog from vehicle emissions is of particular concern in Connecticut, according to the report. Pollution from our cars, trucks, and other heavily polluting sources mix with sunlight to form smog that worsens respiratory illnesses, causing asthma attacks and bronchitis. Currently, all 3.6 million Connecticut residents live in areas with unsafe smog levels. In recent years, local smog levels have exceeded the minimum federal air quality standard by over 40%.
On high smog days, especially over the summer, pollution from Connecticut’s cars and trucks contributes 5.48 ppb of ozone to the state’s nonattainment areas. That is nearly eight times what EPA considers a legally “significant contribution” sufficient to bring an entire state under emissions reduction requirements in other contexts.
Smog levels are especially high in communities of color and low-income communities. Emergency room visits for asthma attacks among Black children ages 2 to 17 are over five times more frequent than similar visits among white children. Black Connecticut residents of all ages are three times as likely, and Hispanic residents of all ages are twice as likely, to die from asthma than their white neighbors. Cutting vehicle emissions is a matter of life or death for Connecticut families. By passing ACCII and ACT, Connecticut can ensure residents have access and freedom to choose cars and trucks that are better for our health and safety.
According to the recently-released Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Greenhouse Gas Inventory, transportation emissions have increased four percent since 2021. Accounting for the largest share of pollution of any industry, the transportation sector is not on track to achieve the state’s mandated 2030 greenhouse gas reductions. For our communities and climate, Connecticut needs to take ambitious action to lower car and truck pollution now.
Eleven states have adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standards and thirteen states, plus Washington, DC, have adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) standards, for good reason. Across the northeast, our neighboring states have all adopted both. In Connecticut, adopting the new car and truck rules is necessary to reduce pollution in overburdened environmental justice communities and achieve our legislatively mandated state climate goals.
So, where do we go from here? The legislature, pressured by a manipulative misinformation campaign, has opted against passing the clean car and truck rules. Instead, the Transportation Committee raised House Bill 5485, which would establish an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council and a Zero-Emission Vehicle Roadmap.
As for the Sierra Club, we will continue challenging our state decision-makers to reject the fossil fuel industry’s misinformation and choose public health and clean air. Once instituted, the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council must do all in its power to thoroughly investigate the economic, health, and safety benefits of adopting both ACCII and ACT. We are confident the facts will point toward full adoption of these rules.
We know there is no room for further delay. Connecticut needs action now to address climate change and relieve overburdened communities of the poor air quality sure to flare up with the warming weather. It is our core belief that access to clean air is a right no community should be denied. Together, we will continue to work alongside allies to achieve the full adoption of ACCII and ACT in Connecticut, ensuring better, cleaner air for all. The health of our neighbors, ecosystem, and planet depends on it.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Although this is not a sponsored op-ed, the author of this opinion is the head of Connecticut’s chapter of the Sierra Club, which has advertised on this website within the past year.
