The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol

END OF THE ROAD – GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURES SIGNAL PROGRESS, VETOES REPRESENT LOST OPPORTUNITIES

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger took a break from his re-election fundraising drive to sign and veto the remaining bills of the 2006 legislative session.

Much of the country will remember last Wednesday's high-tech signing ceremony for AB 32, the Global Warming Solution Act of 2006, which makes California the first state in the nation to set a statewide cap on global warming pollution.

But what about the other high priority bills that made it through the Legislature and onto the Governor's desk?

As expected, the results are mixed. In terms of raw numbers, the Governor signed 27 of the 44 environmental and public health bills that PCL had identified as top priorities. He deserves praise for those signatures. Many of the bills he signed will provide sweeping benefits to our state in the decades ahead. But his string of vetoes of popular environmental legislation calls into question his "green governor" credentials. 

Here's a highlight of some of the best environmental bills signed last week:
 
SB 1368 (Perata) will end California's reliance on dirty coal fired power plants, helping achieve the global warming reductions required by AB 32. 

SB 1574 (Keuhl) requires the state to prepare a Strategic Vision for a Sustainable Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This effort will help identify methods to achieve sustainable land use patterns and ecosystem functions for this challenged region.

SB 1535 (Keuhl) increases funding to the cash-starved Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission. By increasing environmental review fees, it would allow DFG to review all development projects to ensure that there are adequate protections for fish and wildlife.

AB 2276 (Pavley) requires the California Air Resources Board to develop and implement standards that reduce ozone emissions from non-commercial indoor air cleaning devices.  Many indoor "air purifiers" emit large amounts of ozone, an air pollutant linked to lung disease, asthma, and premature death.  These devices, advertised as protection against indoor air pollution, are not only ineffective, but do significant harm by raising ozone levels. 
 
AB 289 (Chan) authorizes CalEPA to request that chemical manufacturers provide analytical test methods for detecting their chemicals in our bodies and the environment.  This will be a useful tool to implement newly signed SB 1379, the nation's most comprehensive "biomonitoring" law that will screen and document human exposure to chemicals.

AB 1953 (Chan) reduces the maximum allowable levels of lead in pipes and plumbing fixtures from 8 percent to 0.25 percent, helping prevent brain damage and other effects of lead poisoning. The Governor signed two other lead bills, making lead abatement violations a punishable crime and reducing the use of lead in jewelry.

In signing these and other priority bills, the Governor stood up to industries and individuals who profit at the expense of human health and the environment. Unfortunately, on other issues the Governor's resolve crumbled. We're very disappointed by these and other last minute vetoes:

AB 1012 (Nation) would have allowed the California Air Resources Board to require that half of all new cars purchased in California run on alternative fuel sources by 2020. Because AB 1012 was vetoed, California lost the opportunity to reduce its reliance on foreign oil and reduce global warming pollution.

SB 1796 (Florez) would have reformed the state Reclamation Board which oversees flood and levee issues across California. Because SB 1796 was vetoed, California lost the last opportunity for substantive flood reform this year.

AB 1147 (Leno) would have allowed farmers to grow industrial hemp in California. Because AB 1147 was vetoed, California lost the opportunity to locally produce an environmentally beneficial fiber that could help diminish the drive for logging in old growth forests.

AB 2960 (Ridley-Thomas) would have created an economic incentive for investment in renewable energy by electrical corporations. Because AB 2960 was vetoed, California lost the opportunity to reduce pollution and expand the energy sources of California utility companies beyond the unstable supply and prices of natural gas.

AB 2825 (Ruskin) would have required a school district to identify any facilities that may emit hazardous air emissions or handle specific hazardous substances within one-fourth of a mile of the proposed school site.  AB 2092 (Hancock) would have provided accessible information about toxic sites to all stakeholders by requiring a summary of sites with known or potential vapor intrusion from a hazardous substance release. Because these bills were vetoed, California lost the opportunity to protect vulnerable populations from pollution and contamination.

In his explanation of his veto, the Governor often claimed that enough was already being done or that future planning efforts would determine how to resolve the issue. These hollow excuses mean human health and the environment continue to suffer while solutions are put off for another day. We hope these bills return and are signed by the Governor next year.

Stay tuned for more Insider Information!