CA high speed rail moves another step forward, other environmental bills stalled
Gov. Schwarzenegger pushed the California high speed rail proposal another step forward last week by signing legislation that would shore up the $10 billion bond measure slated to be on the state’s November ballot. Because of the importance Schwarzenegger places on this project, he made an exception to his promise to veto all legislation until the Legislature, which is marred in partisan fighting, passes a budget for the state. The gist of the bill is to “strengthen financial controls of the agency overseeing the high-speed rail project.”
However, while the high speed rail bill got an exception from the Governor’s veto promise, it is interesting to look at the other environmentally related bills indefinitely stalled, while the Legislature bickers over the budget. Greenspace, at LATimes, lays out a good summary, here is their description of two major ones:
The Clean Ports Investment Act: would alleviate air pollution that causes asthma and cancer in neighborhoods around the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland by imposing a fee on every cargo container. The $400 million-plus a year would be used to improve infrastructure and air quality. Freight movement through the three ports generates 30% of the statewide emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 75% of lung-scarring diesel particulates.
Global Warming Solutions Act: the first law in the nation to control planet-heating greenhouse gases by curbing sprawl. Transportation accounts for nearly a third of the state’s carbon dioxide emissions, and reducing the amount of driving is essential if the state is to meet its goal to slash its carbon footprint. Under the bill, sponsored by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), regional planning and transportation agencies would develop plans to reduce global warming effects. Projects that meet greenhouse gas goals would get priority for some $18 billion to $20 billion in annual transportation funds.
- Similar Posts:
- There is always a reason to say ‘no,’ CA needs to say ‘yes’ to rail bond
- CA high speed rail takes a small step forward with agency approval of route
- California Prop 1A, high speed rail bond measure, passes
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