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UPDATES ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS IN CALIFORNIA

 

Sierra Club California Blog Spot

2009 Priorities

Sierra Club California has chosen our priorities for 2009. Click here to learn more …

 

Earthhike

 

Global Warming

Members of the California Air Resources Board will meet Dec. 11-12 to consider a plan for addressing climate change in the 21st century. They also plan to enact the “diesel truck rule,” which would guide truckers in reducing their emissions.

Both rules would have a profound affect on the air we breathe. Reducing global warming pollution also would lower the amount of harmful air pollution throughout the state. At the same time, taking on pollution from trucks also will reduce the pollution that causes global warming.

There is a lot at stake: if our state successfully takes on global warming pollution, it can provide a model for the rest of the nation. The diesel truck rule also can provide a model for the rest of the state, and lower the diesel pollution that causes an estimated 4,500 early deaths each year, according to the California Air Resources Board.

Despite their clear benefits, both of these plans face tremendous opposition from polluting industries. Even if Sierra Club California successfully advocates for these rules, we expect attacks from Republican legislators during the budget process, with these industries arguing against funding these important rules. We’ll keep you up to date via our Action Alerts and here at www.sierraclubcalifornia.org.

Dec. 11-12 ONLY: Watch the live webcast of the California Air Resources board meeting...

 

Global Warming

We’re trying our hardest to convince the board to listen to us on three key points:

Land Use: We think the air board hasn’t asked for big enough reductions in global warming pollution caused by bad land use decisions. Poor planning now can set us back decades, in terms of cleaning up the pollution that causes global warming. Plus, improvements to transit and community design plans will mean Californians will spend less time in their cars!

Auctions: We need to draw the line: California cannot simply give away “pollution allowances.” If our state makes these pollution permits part of the way we take on global warming, we need to SELL these allowances, and use the money to green our energy and transportation systems – and give low-income families a break on their utility bills.

Offsets: Currently, the state’s proposal would allow nearly half of all emissions to come from offsets, basically credits that polluters would buy instead of making their own emissions reductions. Rather than outsourcing GHG emissions cuts through offsets, California must aggressively develop its own new, clean technologies to reduce global warming pollution here and around the world.

ACT NOW! Join our e-activists and help us make these important last-minute points!

We have more to say! Click here to read Sierra Club California's Full Comments On the CARB Scoping Plan (11/19/08)

Check out our plan to increase renewable power in California -- while fighting global warming!

 

Diesel Trucks

The air board also will vote whether to lower harmful emissions from diesel trucks – amid arguments that this isn’t the right time to require truckers to spend more money.

We argue that this isn’t the right time to spend $28 billion on health care costs increased by emissions from diesel trucks. The state’s budget will feel the pinch if the board doesn’t call for these changes to truck aerodynamics and engines.

We are also asking the board to increase its enforcement of the rules through inspections and evaluations – while providing funds to help truckers get these new vehicles.

Click here to read a joint letter from Sierra Club California and other groups regarding tougher diesel truck rules (December 2008)

Click here to read our reaction to the recent study about the cost of poor air quality

 

 

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Latest News

California Progress Report: Looking To Green the California Budget (December 21, 2008)

Schwarzenegger: Lawmakers must try again on budget (AP) (December 19, 2008)

San Diego Union-Tribune: A call for all to contribute to California's efforts (December 11, 2008)

San Francisco Chronicle: Air board to move on global warming proposals (December 10, 2008)

Capitol Weekly: Economic turmoil derails water plan – for now (November 20, 2008)

KCRA: Schwarzenegger May See Obama Cabinet Spot (November 19, 2008)

SF Chonicle: Governor tells staff to prepare for warming (November 17, 2008)

Oil firms vow to fight Schwarzenegger's tax proposal (November 7, 2008)

SF Chronicle: Renewable power, alternative fuel measures fail (November 5, 2008)

AP: Calif. defeats clean power, fuel measures (November 5, 2008)

OC Register: With defeat of Props. 10 and 7, what’s next for alternative energy? (November 5, 2008)

Is more nuclear energy in California's energy future? (November 3, 2008)

Indymedia: Is Schwarzenegger Terminating Salmon Surveys?
(November 2, 2008)

California Energy and Fuel Ballot Props 7 and 10 Will Be Defeated if the Voters Know What They are Voting On (November 2, 2008)

calitics.com: Barack Obama Doesn't Support Proposition 10 (October 31,2008)

Grist Magazine: Green intentions: A guide to 2008 environmental ballot measures

How 'green' are your state lawmakers? (October 30, 2008)

Sierra Club California Report Card Shows Many Green Donkeys, But Few Green Elephants in Our Midst (October 30, 2008)

LA Weekly: Proposition 7: The Most Confusing (October 30, 2008)

OC Register: Prop. 10: Criticisms range from profits to regulatory limits (October 29, 2008)

Eureka Reporter: Wiggins earns ‘perfect score’ on legislation (October 29, 2008)

Bakersfield.com: Sierra Club ranks Florez top, Ashburn bottom (October 29, 2008)

Fog City Journal.com: How Did The Green Vote Grow? Bay Area Representatives Cast Significant Percentage of Green Votes (October 29, 2008)

The California Aggie: Prop 2 would change livestock confinement laws (October 16, 2008)

Christian Science Monitor: With Prop. 7, California argues its energy future (October 16, 2008)

LA Daily News: Props. 7 and 10 aren't good green initiatives (October 16, 2008)

NPR: Prop 10: Big Wind, Big Bond (October 13, 2008)

From the California Progress Report: Coalition of "EVERYONE” Launches No on 10 Campaign (October 10, 2008)

From Capitol Weekly: Prescription: A healthier global warming plan (October 9, 2008)

From the Daily Journal: Energy propositions taking heat from critics (October 9, 2008)

Sierra Club California Hails New Toxics-Fighting Law (September 30, 2008)

California launches broad effort to control hazardous chemicals (September 30, 2008)

Schwarzenegger signs chemical regulation overhaul (September 29, 2008)

Making California Fire-Safe Starts by Not Making the Problem Worse (Sept. 25, 2008)

Western states pitch plan to reduce greenhouse emissions (Sept. 24, 2008)

Propositions 7 and 10 Offer Californians No Real Alternatives: Sierra Club California Opposes Both (September 18, 2008)

Press Conference Held to Announce Opposition to Oil & Gas Drilling Off California´s Coast
(Sept. 12,2008)

Capitol Weekly: Money, health at center of fight over diesel rules (September 11, 2008)

Ruskin Mercury Pollution Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature (August 29, 2008)

 

 


 

 

 

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