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California's clean air agency endorses LA 2024's commitment to greenest Games

Xinhua, May 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

Los Angeles' commitment to host the most sustainable Olympic Games ever in 2024 was backed Tuesday by California's clean air agency before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission's visit next week.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a letter praising the bid committee's approach to environmental protection. CARB's letter cited the potential in LA 2024's no-risk, no-surprises Games Plan, with no new permanent venue construction, to have a lasting environmental legacy for the region and for the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

Authored by CARB Board Chair Mary Nichols, the letter highlighted LA and California's leadership in air quality regulations as a reason why the City of Angels is "better prepared than ever to offer the world's best athletes the ideal environment for peak performance in 2024."

Nichols underlined a number of LA's clean air commitments as evidence of the LA's credentials for hosting a sustainable Games. For example, the letter points to LA's Metro becoming the world's first transit agency to operate only clean fuel buses, operating the largest clean bus fleet in the world, LA leading the nation in the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and the Port of Los Angeles reducing diesel particulate matter in the harbor region by 80% since 2005 and piloting zero-emission goods movement technology. The implementation of these programs, coupled with the increased use of new clean technologies promises to further drive down reductions in emissions and air pollutants, ensuring clean air for the region's future.

"We applaud Los Angeles 2024 for your commitment to manage the impact the Games would have on California's air quality. We offer our full support to work with the Games organizing committee to deliver Games that not only maintain California's already high air quality standards, but that also present opportunities to achieve improved air quality for local communities through innovative Games initiatives, and for all Californians in the future," said Nichols.

LA 2024 CEO Gene Sykes expressed thanks to the California Air Resources Board for supporting LA's bid to bring the Games back in 2024.

"CARB's endorsement reinforces our belief that LA is in a position to deliver the greenest Games in history," said Sykes.

The California Air Resources Board is a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, working to promote and protect Californians' public health, welfare and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the state.

Southern California has seen a 50% decrease in ozone pollution, a harmful air pollutant, since 1984, vastly improving the region's air quality since the last time LA hosted the Games.

The race between Los Angeles and Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics is heating up. The international Olympic Committee will tour and evaluate Los Angeles and Paris on May 10-12 and 14-16, respectively. IOC will elect a winner September 13 in Lima, Peru. Endit