Hopefully all Gavilan Valley residents will show their support
for Santa Clara County Supervisor and CalTrain Board Member Don
Gage’s recommendation that CalTrain electrify its equipment, and
particularly that rolling stock operated through the Southern Santa
Clara Valley.
Dear Editor:
Hopefully all Gavilan Valley residents will show their support for Santa Clara County Supervisor and CalTrain Board Member Don Gage’s recommendation that CalTrain electrify its equipment, and particularly that rolling stock operated through the Southern Santa Clara Valley.
Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin have the worst or near worst air quality currently among all cities within the nine-county Bay Area Air Quality Management District, owing to prevailing north to south wind patterns, smoggy San Jose to the north and our mountains that trap dirty air here.
Hollister and San Benito County enjoy a slightly less polluted environment thanks to helpful breezes making it through from Monterey Bay. But solid particulates that are carcinogenic, such as those as are emitted in large quantity by diesel locomotives, wood fireplaces, or trucks and buses, are also high or very high on many days throughout the year in Hollister.
A recent study published by the University of California indicates that school districts located within the most polluted regions of the state are experiencing higher student absences, reduced corresponding state revenue reimbursements, and, most importantly, negatively impacted childhood health statistics. Asthma, allergies and other respiratory ailments are most pronounced in children in this region.
Passenger trains operated in southern Santa Clara County that may in the future be powered by electrical energy generated with cleaner fossil fuel fired generating methods – such as natural gas, or even better yet, solar, wind or hydro power – will benefit all residents of San Benito County and particularly children. Incidentally increased living standards, higher property values and penultimately a cleaner environment are all major benefits that all those that breathe here deserve and CalTrain and the State of California can today help provide.
Chris Cote,
Gilroy
Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin have the worst or near worst air quality currently among all cities within the nine-county Bay Area Air Quality Management District, owing to prevailing north to south wind patterns, smoggy San Jose to the north and our mountains that trap dirty air here.
Hollister and San Benito County enjoy a slightly less polluted environment thanks to helpful breezes making it through from Monterey Bay. But solid particulates that are carcinogenic, such as those as are emitted in large quantity by diesel locomotives, wood fireplaces, or trucks and buses, are also high or very high on many days throughout the year in Hollister.
A recent study published by the University of California indicates that school districts located within the most polluted regions of the state are experiencing higher student absences, reduced corresponding state revenue reimbursements, and, most importantly, negatively impacted childhood health statistics. Asthma, allergies and other respiratory ailments are most pronounced in children in this region.
Passenger trains operated in southern Santa Clara County that may in the future be powered by electrical energy generated with cleaner fossil fuel fired generating methods – such as natural gas, or even better yet, solar, wind or hydro power – will benefit all residents of San Benito County and particularly children. Incidentally increased living standards, higher property values and penultimately a cleaner environment are all major benefits that all those that breathe here deserve and CalTrain and the State of California can today help provide.
Chris Cote,
Gilroy
