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AB 118 – Energy Efficiency, Lower Carbon Fuels, and a Critical Investment in California’s Economic and Transportation Future
By John Boesel
President and CEO
CALSTART
and
Karen Douglas
Legislative Director
Environmental Defense
Recent projections that California’s population is expected to almost double from 35 million people today to 60 million people in 2050 are sobering. Even more sobering are proposals that seemed visionary in the 1950s but outdated for the 2050s: double-decking our freeways, expanding toll road systems and generally laying more concrete. In the 21st century we need to invest in new technologies, fuels and systems to carry us forward in a sustainable way.
Fortunately, we have the opportunity to create new fuels and transportation solutions as we strive to meet the requirements of AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act that requires a steep reduction in global warming emissions down to 1990 levels. But in order to meet this objective, we must plan for new population growth and transportation infrastructure in a sustainable way.
Currently, the state lacks the alternative fueling infrastructure, fuels and vehicle options necessary to meet the requirements of AB 32 into the future. More than half of California’s global warming emissions come from the transportation sector when you include the emissions from drilling, pumping, transporting, and refining oil. Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), a primary author of AB 32, has offered AB 118 to reduce greenhouse emissions from California’s transportation sector.
AB 118 directs critical focus where California’s regulatory needs are most urgent: energy efficiency and lower carbon fuels. This important investment in our future would be generated from small increases of $1 to $8 on smog checkups and vehicle registration, the equivalent of a few cups of Starbucks coffee. It is a small price to pay to spur the deployment of more clean vehicle and fuel choices while protecting our natural environment and public health from the risks of an unstable climate.
AB 118 will generate more than $100 million in funding for new technologies, vehicles and fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately half the funding for AB 118 would go toward incentives for putting significantly lower carbon fuels and vehicles on the road. The other half would be allocated for the development of the next generation of clean and energy efficient transportation technologies such as renewable and low carbon fuels, electronic, hybrid and fuel cell technology.
California has a strong track record of leveraging state funds to achieve substantial gains in better technologies and air quality. For example, the state’s investment in energy efficiency programs for the past 20 years has held the amount of electricity consumed per person to a constant level while it has increased steadily per person nationwide. We've also significantly reduced smog forming emissions by spending $140 million a year under the Carl Moyer program to replace or upgrade old dirty diesel engines. However, to achieve AB 32’s mandatory emissions requirements, we must make a similar investment in cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
AB 118 has passed the Assembly. Now, it’s up to the California Senate to pass the bill and send it to Governor Schwarzenegger to sign it into law as an investment in our clean energy future. Given leadership and direction, California will produce the transportation technology industry to build this sustainable future. In other words, we need to look ahead to 2050 and invest in that future, not seek solutions by looking in the rear-view mirror to 1950.
John Boesel is the President and CEO of CALSTART, a non-profit organization that works with the public and private sectors to develop advanced transportation technologies and foster companies that will help clean the air, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming, and create jobs.
Karen Douglas is the legislative director for Environmental Defense, a national non-profit organization with more than 500,000 members. Environmental Defense was a proud co-sponsor of AB 32 and is working to find solutions to global warming.
Comments
I hope that you will take a moment to examine AB 118 as passed by the legislature and that you will advocate for its VETO.
According to the Times, this bill, now on the governor's desk, would charge a $3.00 fee on every auto, trailer, truck and boat DMV registration ostensibly for the study of clean fuels.
Why every sail boat in California should pay a fee to study clean fuel is a puzzle.
For the majority of Californians who do not buy coffee at Starbucks (See Sierra Club advocacy column)and may not be of a mind to subsidize for-profit energy companies, this fee is an unwelcome 7.3% increase in the typical auto registration fee. At least a license fee is tied to value, AB 118 is a regressive tax which may seem to be for a good purpose but is unfocused in its impact on those who will pay and unfair as to who then will most likely benefit, the new car buyer.
The sponsors estimate $200 million will be taxed annually by this so called fee.
There are clearly better ways to encourage clean fuels. Witness Toyota's Hybrid and the efforts of European automakers to bring clean diesels to market.
I hope you agree this measure deserves your organzation's opposition and that you will advocate for a veto of this compromised, costly and ineffective legislation.
Sincerely,
Rob
Posted by: Rob at September 13, 2007 03:11 PM
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