Gov. Schwarzenegger's environmental limbo

California's multibillion-dollar budget impasse is holding up more than funding for state agencies and programs. Some 870 bills, passed by both houses of the Legislature, are in limbo, including landmark environmental legislation that would have major economic impact and health effects. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said that he will not sign any bills until the Legislature, stymied by partisan conflict, can come up with a budget.

The Planning and Conservation League, a Sacramento-based nonprofit, has compiled a list of 15 top-priority bills yet to be signed by the governor.

One key initiative, 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. However, community groups fear the governor will veto the bill, SB 974, because its author, Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) has refused to amend it to spread the money around areas far from the ports.

Another major bill, SB 375, would be 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. Some environmental groups oppose the bill because it relieves the building industry from certain environmental review rules, but the governor is expected to sign it.

Another measure, AB 1879, would require the state to identify potentially toxic chemicals in consumer  products, evaluate alternatives and adopt rules to protect public health. A fourth bill addresses heightened concern during the current drought: SB X2 1 would direct bond funds toward stabilizing the Bay Delta Estuary and increasing reliable water supplies throughout the state.

"These bills represent the kind of collaborative legislative work that the governor has championed," said Thomas Adams, board president of the California League of Conservation Voters. "On bills like these, the governor should declare victory."

There is little chance of that, however, so long as legislators are unable to compromise on a budget. Meanwhile, the bills are piling up and no one seems to know if they will die on Sept. 30, the usual deadline for signature, or whether they could be signed as late as Nov. 30, and take effect a year later. As the Sacramento paper, Capitol Weekly, reports: "Confusion deepens." And so, critical measures dealing with ground water, wildfires, air pollution, transportation, housing, food safety, lead poisoning, and neighborhood parks remain in suspension.

-- Margot Roosevelt

Photo: Port of Long Beach: a fee averaging $60 per container would be levied to help control air pollution and smooth freight transportation under a bill that is opposed by industry. Credit: Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[steve]

imposing extra fees on every cargo container coming to the port of l.a.is a great idea.it gives shipping companies another exuse to avoid california and bring goods through mexico.nice work.

[sheila]

just another way schwarzenegger can avoid "walking the green walk," and help out his Big Developer and Big Business cronies without having to take any heat for it. another day, another greenwash.

[observer]

Pass the budget and clean up our beautiful state of California. So many things are riding on this , health care and environment and the list goes on and on. Gray Davis got the hook, maybe Arnold is going to be the next . Everyone is being affected by a few people living lavish life styles. They could care less what we think. Keep e-mailing your legislators and calling their offices. The public has to put the pressure on NOW!!!

[Robert]

"California's multibillion-dollar budget impasse... "

The budget mess is not the making of California. It is the doing of the California Legislature which does not take its constitutional mandates responsibly. I suppose some folks standing on the highest point of the Titanic refused to admit the ship was sinking even though their socks were soaked with water of the Atlantic Ocean.

Disgusted.

[Steve Wimer]

Arnold promises so much, and delivers so little.

[David Pettit]

SB 375, the smart growth bill, and SP 974, the statewide container fees bill, can reshape California so we can have cleaner air while we reduce greenhouse gases. I would urge everyone one who is interested enough to read this blog to write the Governor and urge him to do the right thing.

[SAMUEL OLAGUE]

STATE LEGISLATURES ANF TREE HUGGERS CAN WAIT A FEW YEARS.THEIR PRBLEM WILL BE GONE. AS SOON AS THE MEGA PORT IS BUILT IN BAJA MEXICO..ALL THE CONTAINERSTHAT GO TO LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH PORTS,WILL BE GOING TO THE MEGA PORT IN MEXICO;;;;;;;;;

[Hendo]

Yeah Steve that is a chance. But should the people adversley affected by the shipping pollution sacrafice themselves for the good of the shipping activity. Personally I don't think so. Maybe the containers, as you say, would go to Mexico...where they deliver their toxic fumes to Mexicans. Is that OK somehow? I don't think so.
The best outcome is to clean up the fumes. They are starting to clean up cars, why not ships too?
I understand Sheila's cynisism, and it's maybe right, but I really don't know. What I am sure of is that any solution to this problem, and greater ones, is that it will require a healthy coalition of the various actors involved. Government just cannot do it on it's own, but it can cause it to happen.
Just my views guys, I'm not trying to change yours, or suggest that your concerns are not justified.

[IT Support]

Really great post, a great read and we share the same views entirely. Dave.