December 6, 2010
Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
VOTE YES ON S. 1408: NEW ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION TO GIVE AMERICANS SOLUTIONS
Dear Senator Klobuchar,
I urge you to vote yes on Bill S. 1408 and support tax credits for alternative fuels, alternative fuel motor vehicles, and other solutions to reduce harmful auto emissions. In supporting this bill, you will help increase the amount of citizens in the state of Minnesota who are able to breathe clean air, and you will support those companies who are working towards these efforts as well. Using cleaner-burning alternative fuels will reduce the amount of toxins in the air and increase the overall air quality of our state and our nation.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), as of 1999, 52% of air toxins in Minnesota came from mobile sources such as cars, trucks and off-road vehicles. The MPCA also asserts that while efforts have increased to reduce these toxins, the number of sources that emit them has been rapidly growing over that past eleven years. These emissions are linked to many health risks including asthma, lung disease, heart disease, and cancer to name a few. As a citizen of St. Louis County, I believe that by increasing the use of cleaner alternative fuels we can decrease the prevalence of these major health risks in our community. This will reduce the amount of citizens suffering from these diseases and increase our overall health.
Opponents of this bill might say that the economic costs of this issue would outweigh the benefits. However, they are only looking at the short term costs of cleaner alternative fuels. Sure, at first it will cost money to implement change, but once the change is made, the benefits will exponentially outweigh the costs. With increased use of cleaner alternative fuels, air quality will improve, individual and community health will improve, and the amount of people dying from these diseases will decrease. Economically, it makes more sense to implement this bill and look at the long term benefits.
We appreciate you taking the time to read this letter and work towards creating a healthier Minnesota. Voting “yes” to S. 1408 will be the best decision for our county, state, and our country. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 888-888-8888 or ilovecleanairmn@cleanmn.com.
Kristen
Kristen
Facts About Air Pollution and
Cleaner Alternative Fuels
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
- Air toxics are linked to causing cancer and other health risks when exposed to high enough levels.
- Of the air toxics in Minnesota, 52% come from mobile sources such as personal vehicles.
- Inhaling toxic air increases the risks for birth defects over the long term.
Who is exposed?
- Although high traffic areas are considered "hot spots" for toxic air, exposure in any amount is dangerous.
- People who live in high traffic areas are at a greater risk to develop health problems.
- At risk populations such as children, people with asthma or lung disease, and elderly people are at an ever greater risk for developing lung problems if exposed in any amount.
Cleaner Alternative Fuels:
- Cleaner alternative fuels have lower emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates.
- These fuels reduce:
- Carbon monoxide emissions by 90-97%
- Carbon dioxide emissions by 25%
- Nitrogen oxide emissions by 35-60%
- Cleaner alternative fuels also greatly reduce carcinogenic toxins.
Improvements are being made:
- Air Quality Index Reports are done to measure the amount of air pollutants.
- Cleaner alternative fuels are becoming more mainstream.
- More studies are in progress regarding health effects due to air pollution.
For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Health:
651-201-5000 Phone
888-345-0823 Toll-free
651-201-5797 TTY
For outdoor air quality:
651-201-4899
health.risk@state.mn.us
Wow, great letter. You provided both the opponent and supporters sides very well. I also agree with you on most people looking at it from the short-term view. Yes, it will be more expensive at first but in the long run it will help us have cleaner air and less sickness.
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