§ 31-47.3-1 Legislative findings. –(a) Diesel emissions, due in large part to their high concentrations ofparticulate matter, are associated with severe and multiple health risks to thecitizens of Rhode Island, including increased risks of cancer, decreased lungfunction, aggravated asthma, heart attacks and premature death. Reducing dieselpollution will also help advance the state's climate protection goals andclimate action plan by reducing black carbon pollution.
(b) Diesel exhaust also contains nitrogen oxides, whichcontribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Rhode Islandcontinues to be classified as a "serious-nonattainment area" for ozone.
(c) Reducing diesel pollution may help to stem the tide ofthe asthma epidemic in Rhode Island where more than one in ten (10) citizenshave asthma. Rhode Island ranks eighth (8th) in the U.S. for the worst asthmarates overall, and has the fifth (5th) highest rate for children. RhodeIslanders pay about forty-one million dollars ($41,000,000) per year inasthma-associated health costs. Asthma is the most common chronic disease inchildren and responsible for the most school absences in Rhode Island.
(d) The EPA, recognizing the harmful effects of dieselemissions, issued new fuel and engine emission standards that will reduceparticulate matter emissions from engines model year 2007 and newer ninetypercent (90%) below previous levels.
(e) The same technology that reduces emissions by up toninety percent (90%) for new engines can be retrofitted onto existing engines,which will continue to operate for years.
(f) As a first step in tackling the diesel pollution problemin Rhode Island, school buses should be given high priority.
§ 31-47.3-1 Legislative findings. –(a) Diesel emissions, due in large part to their high concentrations ofparticulate matter, are associated with severe and multiple health risks to thecitizens of Rhode Island, including increased risks of cancer, decreased lungfunction, aggravated asthma, heart attacks and premature death. Reducing dieselpollution will also help advance the state's climate protection goals andclimate action plan by reducing black carbon pollution.
(b) Diesel exhaust also contains nitrogen oxides, whichcontribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Rhode Islandcontinues to be classified as a "serious-nonattainment area" for ozone.
(c) Reducing diesel pollution may help to stem the tide ofthe asthma epidemic in Rhode Island where more than one in ten (10) citizenshave asthma. Rhode Island ranks eighth (8th) in the U.S. for the worst asthmarates overall, and has the fifth (5th) highest rate for children. RhodeIslanders pay about forty-one million dollars ($41,000,000) per year inasthma-associated health costs. Asthma is the most common chronic disease inchildren and responsible for the most school absences in Rhode Island.
(d) The EPA, recognizing the harmful effects of dieselemissions, issued new fuel and engine emission standards that will reduceparticulate matter emissions from engines model year 2007 and newer ninetypercent (90%) below previous levels.
(e) The same technology that reduces emissions by up toninety percent (90%) for new engines can be retrofitted onto existing engines,which will continue to operate for years.
(f) As a first step in tackling the diesel pollution problemin Rhode Island, school buses should be given high priority.
§ 31-47.3-1 Legislative findings. –(a) Diesel emissions, due in large part to their high concentrations ofparticulate matter, are associated with severe and multiple health risks to thecitizens of Rhode Island, including increased risks of cancer, decreased lungfunction, aggravated asthma, heart attacks and premature death. Reducing dieselpollution will also help advance the state's climate protection goals andclimate action plan by reducing black carbon pollution.
(b) Diesel exhaust also contains nitrogen oxides, whichcontribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Rhode Islandcontinues to be classified as a "serious-nonattainment area" for ozone.
(c) Reducing diesel pollution may help to stem the tide ofthe asthma epidemic in Rhode Island where more than one in ten (10) citizenshave asthma. Rhode Island ranks eighth (8th) in the U.S. for the worst asthmarates overall, and has the fifth (5th) highest rate for children. RhodeIslanders pay about forty-one million dollars ($41,000,000) per year inasthma-associated health costs. Asthma is the most common chronic disease inchildren and responsible for the most school absences in Rhode Island.
(d) The EPA, recognizing the harmful effects of dieselemissions, issued new fuel and engine emission standards that will reduceparticulate matter emissions from engines model year 2007 and newer ninetypercent (90%) below previous levels.
(e) The same technology that reduces emissions by up toninety percent (90%) for new engines can be retrofitted onto existing engines,which will continue to operate for years.
(f) As a first step in tackling the diesel pollution problemin Rhode Island, school buses should be given high priority.
