SALEM, Ore. — On Thursday, students converged on Oregon’s capitol to demand cleaner air and tougher regulations on diesel trucks.
The students were from Harriet Tubman Middle School and Lincoln High School.
They came to support the passage of House Bill 2007 also known as the "Dirty Diesel Bill."
“We're not just thinking about ourselves, we’re thinking about our little siblings and everyone in the future,” said 7th grader Marina Yuen.
The bill would reduce diesel pollution statewide by phasing out old diesel trucks over the next 10 years.
The cost of replacing or retrofitting the old trucks would be covered, in part, by 2016 Volkswagen settlement money.
Dr. Linda George says the kids have every right to demand cleaner air. She knows just how dirty it is. The Portland State University scientist has studied diesel pollution in Portland for years.
Her measurements consistently show diesel pollution levels in some areas around town are anywhere from 10 to 20 times higher than what the state considers safe to breathe.
"It's hard to argue with the measurements," she said. "If we replace the old diesel engines with new diesel engines we would see a dramatic improvement in air quality, that's what our results show."
Dr. George believes with California and Washington already cracking down, things will only get worse.
"We're having this phenomenon of dirtier diesel trucks moving into Oregon from those states that put limits on them," she said.
As with every bill, there are opponents.
The Oregon Trucking Association thinks the bill is too stringent. A spokesperson said that if the bill passes, the increased cost to replace trucks will ultimately be passed down to consumers.
But supporters hope this year lawmakers focus on the data.
Like many Oregonians, Mary Peveto is fighting for cleaner diesel standards. She heads up the group Neighbors for Cleaner Air. She went with the kids to Salem to help them in their fight.
"I think Oregon not only needs to pass these standards that match California's, but pass them on a timeline that is going to be meaningful,” Peveto said. “To really improve these kids’ lives while they're still kids."