Millions of Californians living near highways will continue to inhale toxic exhaust

Back in 2008, several environmental and environmental justice groups sued the EPA challenging the agency’s approval of the South Coast Air Basin motor vehicles emissions budgets. These budgets are caps on the amount of motor vehicle emissions allowed in the region as outlined in federal standards. These emissions come from the many automobiles and trucks that use our roads daily.  

The specific concern raised by these groups was over the health of their members and other residents who reside near highways.  Credible scientific studies show that residents near highways breathe higher levels of pollution than those who live farther away.   Specifically, these groups said that the plans simply do not go far enough to ensure residents close to highways will breathe air that meets clean air standards.  

Roughly 1.5 million people living next to diesel-clogged freeways in the Los Angeles region shoulder the worst pollution problems in the region without any plan to remedy the situation.  In issuing its decision today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled against those residents living closest to LA’s highways. The Court determined that the EPA and those challenging EPA’s decision made plausible arguments, but ultimately, the court deferred to EPA’s interpretation that it need not ensure the region has a plan in place to meet clean air standards on time.  

Angelo Logan, executive director of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, a petitioner in the lawsuit, said “we are disappointed with the ruling, but we will continue to fight to vindicate the rights of those residing near major highways like the I-710 and I-5 to breathe air that meets clean air standards.” 

Jesse Marquez, executive director of Coalition for a Safe Environment, another petitioner in the lawsuit, stated “Billions of dollars could be spent on California’s highway infrastructure in the coming years and the money can be spent to benefit the community or not. Instead of expanding our highways to accommodate more dirty trucks, we should invest in clean, efficient cargo transportation such as MagLev and electric trains. The purpose of the lawsuit was to make sure money is spent to benefit local communities while improving air quality for all Angelenos, unfortunately the court didn’t see it that way.”

The fight for those residents living near LA’s highways isn’t over by a long shot. NRDC, along with East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Coalition for a Safe Environment and other environmental justice groups will continue to advocate that everyone in the region should breathe clean air, including the 1.5 million who live next to heavily trafficked roadways.   

We need better air quality monitoring near roadways.  Currently, none of the monitors used for Clean Air Act planning purposes located near roadways can measure the true extent of the problem.  We also need to focus on new technologies, including electrifying our transportation system, to remedy this serious public health threat.   

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