Message Information

Date 01/16/2013 04:29 PM From Paul Billings <Paul.BiIlingslung.org > 

### OFrk1: OF THE To "president©whitehouse.gov " <president@whitehouse.gov > 

### EXECUTI SECRETARIAT "chair@ceq.eop.gov " <chair@ceq.eop.gov >; "Heather Zichal (hzichal@who.eop.gov )' <hzichal@who.eop.gov >; "jon.carson@who.eop.gov" <jon.carsonwho.eop.gov >; LisaP Jackson/DC/USEPA/US@EPA; Bob Perciasepe/DC/USEPA'US@EPA; "jlewwho.eop.gov " <jlew@who.eop.gov >; "Nelson, Greg"<Gregory_S._Nelson©who

. eop

. gov >; Christopher Grundler/AAJUSEPAIUS@EPA; Michael Goo/DC/USEPA/US@EPA; Gina McCarthy/DC/USEPA/US@EPA; "RohanPatelceq.eop.gov " <Rohan_Patelceq.eop.gov>; 'gguzyceq.eop.gov" <gguzy@ceq.eop.gov >; "dutech©ceq.eop.gov " <dutech©ceq.eop.gov >; "Do m in ic_J ._Ma ncini@omb.eop.gov' <DominicJ._Manciniomb.eop.gov>; "McConville, Drew" <Andrew_JMcConville@ceq.eop.gov >; Arvin Ganesan/DC/USEPA/US@EPA; Laura VaughtlDC/USEPA/US@EPA; Joseph Goffman/DC/USEPAJUS@EPA; Christopher Grundler/AA/USEPNUS@EPA Health Group Letter to President on Cleaner Gasoline and Vehicle Standards

Please find the attached a letter to the President from eight health groups urging the adoption of EPA Tier 3 motor vehicle emissions and fuel standards by December 31, 2013. These standards will significantly reduce smog-forming pollution from motor vehicles and will protect the health of all Americans.

Thank you for your consideration of this issue. I am happy to answer any questions.

Sincerely, Paul G. Billings

PauI.BiIIingsLung.org Paul G. Billings Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Education American Lung Association 1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20004-1725 Phone: 202-785-3355 x 3988 Fax: 202 -452-1805

Clean gasoline and vehicles standard.pdfOEX Processing Information Processed Date: Processed By
P0 Office Category:

## American Heart Association • American Lung Association

American Public Health Association • American Thoracic Society Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America • Health Care Without Harm National Association of County and City Health Officials

Trust for America's Health

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest Washington DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As leading medical and public health organizations, we urge you to adopt lower sulfur gasoline and cleaner vehicle emissions standards no later than December 31, 2013. These stronger public health protections will significantly reduce toxic air pollution from the U.S. passenger vehicle fleet, and are urgently needed. Nearly 159 million Americans still live in areas where the air is too dangerous to breathe. Cleaner gasoline will benefit their health immediately.

Passenger vehicles remain one of the major sources of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide emissions that react in the atmosphere to form ozone, which triggers asthma attacks, worsens lung disease and shortens life. Cars, light trucks and SUVs also contribute to ambient fine particulate matter which threatens heart and lung health, as well as increased risk of premature death. Emerging health research indicates that people who live or work near roadways suffer disproportionate adverse health effects from air pollution.

Not only does the nation need these reductions in ozone and particulate matter to protectpublic health, lower sulfur gasoline and vehicle emissions standards are one of the most costeffective paths to cleaner air. The National Association of Clean Air Agencies estimates that by lowering the sulfur content in gasoline, the nation could immediately reduce the amount of air pollution equal to removing 33 million cars and light trucks from our roads. Reducing the sulfur in gasoline will build on the strong foundation of your efforts to increase fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution in half by 2025. Americans have the right to breathe clean and healthy air. In our work to improve the health of our patients and the public, we know first-hand that the air too many Americans breathe puts their health and their lives at risk. The new standards witI protect the health of all, especially those who are most vulnerable: our children; the elderly; those with chronic lung disease, heart disease or diabetes; and those who have low incomes. We urge you to propose lower sulfur

### President Barak Obama

January 16, 2013 Page 2

gasoline and cleaner vehicle emissions standards immediately to ensure the standards are finalized by December 31, 2013.

American Heart Association American Lung Association American Public Health Association American Thoracic Society Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Health Care Without Harm National Association of County and City Health Officials Trust for America's Health

cc: Nancy Sutley, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator, US EPA Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, US EPA Chris Grundler, Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, US EPA