American Lung Association Thanks 3 States and Washington, D.C., for Commitment to Protecting Lung Health from Transportation, Climate Pollution

In response to the release of the Transportation and Climate Initiative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the mayor of Washington, D.C., today, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement: 

“The American Lung Association applauds the governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the mayor of Washington, D.C., for their commitment today to collaborate on the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). TCI is an important tool to reduce transportation pollution, improve air quality, reduce carbon pollution and invest in cleaner, faster and more reliable public transportation.

“The Lung Association strongly supports the commitments to invest proceeds from TCI in communities who have shouldered the burdens of air pollution. Additionally, TCI will make regional investments in the critical transition away from fossil-fueled transportation, such as gas and diesel, toward zero-emission electric vehicle technologies and alternatives to automobile dependence. According to our recent ‘The Road to Clean Air’ report, if our nation would transition to electric vehicle transportation, more than 6,300 deaths and 93,000 asthma attacks would be avoided, with health benefits valued at $72 billion.

“Everyone deserves to breathe clean air, and we call on all of the Northeastern states to join the TCI MOU so that we can fully realize the health benefits of clean transportation.”