By Sarahia Benjamin
The writer Aberdeen resident and advocate, she lives near Perryman Peninsula. She is the Executive Director of the Policy Foundation of Maryland as well as the executive legislative director of Voices Maryland. She is also a member in good standing of the Maryland Legislative Coalition. This coalition has over 30,000 members who advocate for equity-filled policy.
It’s 6 a.m., and Spesutia Road, Perryman Peninsula, Harford County, is already clogged by rumbling big-rigs and tractor trailers, semis and 18-wheelers. They haven’t slowed down by 9 a.m. The line of large vehicles rushing past is even longer at noon.
Warehouse industrialization is the reason for increased traffic near homes and local businesses. This historic Black community is being bombarded daily by soot and diesel exhaust.
It wasn’t always like that. Developers will find it attractive to have access to a new point in 2019.
It is now a free for all, with five new warehouses being built. The two-lane Spesutia road is unsafe for pedestrians because of the construction of new warehouses and the traffic to existing ones. It is impossible for people to get in and out their driveways. Traffic backups cause trucks to idle, spewing smoke into the air, which settles into a thick, greasy gray layer on the front doors, windows and plants. It is killing us.
Diesel soot can cause chronic exposure. Increased deaths It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks, as well as other conditions like lung cancer, reproductive and developmental harm, or even death. Diabetes Alzheimer’s. It is well-known that living within the limits of your means of transportation is healthier.Only one third of a mileA highway, or near to ports, warehouse distribution centres or other freight corridors can cause lung damage and early death.
MarylandBlack residents are exposed to diesel soot concentrations that are 12% higher than the average due to on-road transportation. Concentrations are 11% higher for Latinos than the average. White residents are exposed on average at a rate of 11%. 8% less It is higher than the state average.
This is not an accident.
This example of environmental racism is evident in Maryland. Maryland has a long history in inequality and systemic marginalization such as redlining, which has directly harmed communities of color and low-income people. The rise of the globalized and industrialized delivery economy poses a new threat to the health of our diesel truck traffic.
It is past due for state leaders and legislators in our state to take action for our community. If we cannot stop the construction of these warehouses and these trucks will continue to be here, then we must make them pollution-free. Maryland should pass the Zero- Emission Truck Act of 2020.HB829/SB687).
This legislation directs Maryland’s Department of Environment (MDOE) to adopt a standard to ensure that trucks sold in Maryland are built, delivered and maintained free from pollution.
Marylanders throughout the state will be able to benefit.
Baltimore City is the most exposed to exhaust soot levels in the entire state. 37% higherThe state average is lower than this. Prince Georges County’s exposure rate is also higher than the state average. 23% higherThe state average is higher than it. These two counties are home to more that 25% of the state’s population. 1.5 million peopleThis harmful pollution is being emitted.
And recent data showThis standard would save $1.6 billion on public health costs, avoiding hospital admissions and emergency rooms visits, premature deaths, and cases with respiratory illnesses such as asthma in Maryland.
It is clear that electric truck technology will be around for the long-term. It will be less expensive than new diesel trucks. Only five years. Six statesThe standard has been adopted by Washington, California, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. This will create a shift in the market that will increase investment opportunities and help people get back to work.
We have a right on Spesutia Road to clean air. I am asking our legislators for their support for the Zero-Emission Truck Act. It is one step on the long road to righting the long history and wrongs done in Maryland to communities of color.
