Letter to President Elect Obama

November 16, 2008
President Elect Barack Obama
Dear President Elect Obama,

I am a resident of a small rural community and want to express my serious concerns about air pollution as an environmental issue of great concern to me. Air pollution is being caused on a daily basis from air pollutants from gasoline and diesel automobiles and as a concerned minority citizen I care deeply about developing strategies and policy change now because air pollution is impacting our current generation as well as future generations from the health effects of a polluted environment largely through the air we breathe. I am especially worried and concerned about the health of people I love and care about and how air pollution is making people have chronic illness often resulting in frequent illness and hospital visits because someone cannot breathe. I think we have to take air pollution very seriously in our country and we cannot wait for tomorrow to do this because each day emergency rooms and hospitals are filled with persons including adults and children who cannot breathe as a result of air pollution from automobile by products. Health care costs escalate while quality of life deteriorates and America has to get serious and take ownership to stop polluting our environment when ever and where ever possible. I have seen the devastation of many people not being able to breathe as a result of air pollution. It is very sad to see a person on oxygen to be able to function or a little child having to use an inhaler due to asthma.

The time has come when we as a nation have to care about our environment and translate our words into action. Only when we incentivize and create initiatives at the federal policy level to set examples and initiatives for states and local governments can we begin to make behavior changes. We can through out commitment and dedication to improving air quality begin with someone in your executive leadership role show we are serious as a nation about cleaning up our environment. Only when your position values and is passionate about the need for change at the federal level, the impact is a ripple effect down to the local level. I am urging your swift policy initiatives and action as President Elect and commander in chief to provide incentives for manufacture and utilization of hybrid automobiles to lessen air pollution from the hydrocarbons from gasoline and diesel powered trucks and cars which are major contributors to air pollution. I am thinking specifically that while it may be unpopular, positive strategies and federal initiatives that could be put forth include offering rebates or federal tax breaks for those persons who buy hybrid cars. I am confident American automakers would see increases in sales for hybrid automobiles despite a historical culture in our nation to have large luxury cars. The time has come when we have to make change and think about the future of our people and our nation because it is the right thing to do not because it is popular. This is a change long overdue and with the American automobile industry on the verge of bankruptcy with the need for government bail out, why not add the stipulation for manufacturing hybrid vehicles. A secondary gain to hybrid vehicle manufacturing would be less dependency on foreign oil.

I also encourage you to put money into planning and designing natural gas powered trucks to haul commerce from coast to coast. It is a known fact that the hybrid battery power is not sufficient for the large tractor trailer trucks so vital to nationwide transportation and our economy however, there is scientific technology indicating natural gas is a viable alternative fuel sufficient to power the larger tractor trailer trucks that support the infrastructure of our nation and economy. Diesel fuel is a major air pollutant and environmental hazard but we have not taken a stand as a nation on this issue to this point in time. While we cannot retrofit current trucks for natural gasoline power we can invest in technology and create initiatives and incentives to produce all new trucks with natural gas power technology.

In summary, I ask that you consider the health and vitality of every American and the impact of alternative fuel sources as we create opportunities to move from gasoline and diesel powered automobiles promoting a healthier world through improved air quality as a result of decreasing air pollution and improving environmental integrity. It is my hope that one voice from a minority constituent will speak loudly enough to encourage the change that is so sorely needed to improve air quality. Only with swift action can we save our environment from further degradation and improve the health of adults and children who now suffer with respiratory ailments and chronic disease impacting their quality of life and health care utilization.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions related to my concerns and I can easily be reached at pattonsa@washjeff.edu or via telephone at 724. 825.3146. I will be attending your Inauguration January 2009 and I am hopeful to hear about your stand on air pollution in your plan for alternative fuels as we face a new decade and era of change with your policy and initiatives.

Sincerely, Samuel A. Patton
Student, Washington & Jefferson College




http://www.savephoenix.org/

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Air_Pollution_Statistics

http://greennature.com/article958.html

http://www.cleanairsys.com/airzone-blog/2008/01/staggering-statistics-of-air-pollution.html