California wants some green for going green
Top Democratic state lawmakers have a message for members of Congress considering a bailout for the auto industry: Get some green for the green.
"As you consider proposals to provide bridge loans or other assistance to the U.S. automobile manufacturers, we respectfully request that you insist on conditions that protect California’s clean air and climate pollution reduction laws," said the letter from Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President pro Tem-elect Darrell Steinberg to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others.
Automakers are asking for $25 billion to keep them solvent, but California lawmakers say any deal should include environmentally friendly concessions, including:
- Granting of the U.S. EPA waiver so California can implement more stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles and light-duty trucks.
- A set-aside of loan guarantees for clean-vehicle manufacturers so they can construct manufacturing facilities.
- Incentives for the "Big 3" and other manufacturers to produce more plug-in hybrid cars and trucks.
"Here in California, the auto industry has worked indefatigably to oppose state laws and regulations to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions sessions," the lawmakers said.
-- Patrick McGreevy
