LA County Bicycle Coalition www.la-bike.org

RE: Support for AB 2558

<Date>

Dear <________________> ,

I am pleased to register support for AB 2558 on behalf of <your name/organization>.

AB 2558 would enable Los Angeles’ Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission to develop, and voters to pass, a carbon emissions fee. The revenue generated from the fee would go to air pollution and congestion alleviation programs—programs that currently do not receive sufficient funding to address these critical challenges.

The more than 7 million cars in Los Angeles County contribute to its status as the number one most congested metropolitan region in the country. And, the American Lung Association State of the Air: 2007 report ranked Los Angeles as the city with the worst air quality in the country. Carbon emissions from passenger vehicles contribute to Los Angeles’ poor air quality and to the global crisis of climate change.

Half of all of Los Angeles greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. It is clear that significant emission cuts will have to come from this sector to meet California’s ambitious goals greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

Even with the state’s progress on lower-carbon fuels and vehicles with better mileage, we are going to continue to see increases in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation as Californians are driving more and more every year. There are host of strategies that can help people continue to access opportunities while driving less. Unfortunately, these kinds of transportation solutions are chronically underfunded.

The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Fee that AB 2558 would authorize would fund solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by investing in public transportation, traffic congestion reduction, and more bicycle facilities. These investments represent a win-win for Los Angeles, the Bay Area and for the environment. New travel choices will create alternatives for current drivers who want to get out of their cars and congestion solutions will ease traffic for those who choose to stay on the roads. The bottom line is cleaner air and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

AB 2558 represents a key opportunity for the people of the Bay Area and of Los Angeles County to have the choice of investing in cleaner air and more bicycle facilities. Thank you for your active pursuit of these goals.

Sincerely,