Biodiesel is another piece of California's plan to slow global warming. (credit: propelbiofuels.com)

California moves to promote cleaner fuels

Known as a “low carbon fuel standard,” the policy is intended to reduce global warming pollution by 13 million tons in 2020, the equivalent of taking 3 million cars off the road.

“For Californians this policy will mean renewable fuels like next generation ethanol and biodiesel at our local gas stations, and new plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in our driveways,” said Global Warming Advocate Jason Barbose.

The transportation sector accounts for 40 percent of California’s global warming pollution, and petroleum-based fuels account for 96 percent of transportation fuel needs. Environment California is working to ensure that the fuel standard promotes fuels with the greatest environmental benefits and prevents increases in other forms of pollution.

In addition to promoting cleaner fuels, Environment California is working to reduce global warming pollution from vehicles by promoting more efficient cars, smarter growth, and more mass transit.

Congress moves towards a new energy future

As part of her “First 100 Hours” agenda, Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for repealing $14 billion in tax breaks to Big Oil, and investing the money in renewable energy, with HR 6, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007.  Newly-elected Rep. Jerry McNerney (Pleasanton) was one of the lead sponsors on the bill, and in a few short weeks has shown that Congress is ready to start solving our energy problems.

Rep. McNerney is also a lead sponsor on HR 969, the Renewable Electricity Standard, which would require that the country mandate that 20 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources by 2020.  As we look ahead to the rest of the 110th Congress, Environment California will continue to build support for HR 969.

This victory came after offshore drilling proponents pushed through a proposal in the last hours of the 109th Congress that would allow for drilling off the coast of Florida. While California’s coastline was spared, this bill is backwards energy policy that feeds America’s addiction to oil instead of doing something to end it.