A message from our own Deputy Policy Director

To Members of the CARB Board and staff, My name is Chris Chavez, I am West Long Beach residential representative to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) AB 617 Community Steering Committee. I am also the Deputy Policy Director for Coalition for Clean Air, an air quality advocacy nonprofit that operates in the … Read more

COVID-19: Both a threat and an opportunity for clean transportation

COVID-19’s public health threat is clear. In just four months, over 104,000 Americans have died during the pandemic. The virus’s death toll already exceeds the United States’ combined military fatalities during the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, Afghan, and Iraq Wars – a period that stretches roughly 40 years. These numbers are sobering and tragic, but COVID-19’s … Read more

Chris Chavez: Particulate matter is a killer. The EPA can’t ignore science and protect polluters

As someone who grew up in Long Beach and returned as an adult, I know air pollution all too well. That is why I’m proud to work for the Coalition for Clean Air. It is also why I adamantly oppose EPA Administrator Wheeler’s proposed policy of inaction on particulate matter (PM). My comments on behalf … Read more

LA’s Green New Deal a step forward, but more action is needed on goods movement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, February 10, 2020 Contact: Chris Chavez 213-223-6868   Statement of Coalition for Clean Air Deputy Policy Director Chris Chavez   While we applaud Mayor Garcetti’s steps to make Los Angeles more sustainable, both LA’s Green New Deal and Executive Directive #25 have a glaring absence: a substantive commitment to clean up … Read more

San Francisco passes Measure D!

San Francisco just took a big step in supporting electric vehicles, public transit and active transportation. 67.65% of SF voters supported Measure D in the November 5, 2019 elections. Measure D was the product of a year-long process of negotiations between San Francisco, ride hailing companies like Lyft and Uber, and advocates for clean air, … Read more

Clearing the Air: recapping the 2019 legislative year

Testifying before Senate Committee

Another legislative year has come and gone in Sacramento; and it brought both good and bad news for air quality. Not only did 2019 mark the beginning of a new legislative session with 13 newly elected State Legislators, but it was also the first full year with Governor Gavin Newsom and Senate President Pro Tempore … Read more

Clean Car Standards in the News

Big clean car news: the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and four major auto manufacturers (Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW, which represent about 30% of the automotive market) announced a compromise agreement regarding emissions and fuel efficiency standards. Already, several news reports have portrayed this agreement as rejection of the Trump Administration’s proposed freeze of … Read more

Advocacy update: working for clean air everywhere

It’s a busy time for air quality – the California Legislature is in the middle of its legislative cycle; agencies are developing spending plans and regulations and local governments are considering ordinances and other actions that will affect our air. Given all this commotion, air quality advocates must be engaged at all levels of government. … Read more