Editorial: How Calif. can fight climate change
Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the July 14, 2014, Los Angeles Times.
California’s landmark climate change law, Assembly Bill 32, has created a promising cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases that has put the state on track to meet its emissions goals for 2020, kick-started the state’s green technology industry and generated hundreds of millions of dollars for mass transit and other projects that will further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Gas prices already have risen by close to 50 cents a gallon since the beginning of the year.
But now comes the harder part for many Californians: In 2015, AB32 will begin to cover companies that produce transportation fuels, including gasoline. That means oil companies will begin paying for the greenhouse gases their products emit, a cost the oil companies say they will pass on to consumers. They say it will amount to an extra 15 cents a gallon.
Gas prices already have risen by close to 50 cents a gallon since the beginning of the year, for reasons that have nothing to do with AB32. The prospect of adding 15 cents more — though it’s relatively minor compared with the overall price increase — is daunting to many drivers. Assemblyman Henry T. Perea, D-Fresno, has introduced a bill to delay the extension of the law to transportation fuels for three additional years.
This is so incredibly stupid it is hard to fathom. There is no way California can do anything about global fossil fuel consumption. Yes act local think global, but global doesn’t care, that means there is no reason to do anything local. I guess AB 32 makes people feel good about driving their Prius.
If people in California want to actually DO something: Take $1 Trillion, give it to a consortium of ExxonMobile, BP, Chevron, GE Hitachi Atomic and Westinghouse. The goal is the commercialization of alternative energy supplies. The reward is patent protection and monopoly for 20 years for the system.
THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO OIL TODAY
Typical Cali BS once again. I hate this pathetic state.
This will end the global warming narrative once & for all. When the low information voter sees inflation running rampant thanks to out of control energy prices, they’ll scream bloody murder and turn on the liberal establishment like rabid dogs.
“THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO OIL TODAY”
That may be Moral Hazard, but tomorrow offers us endless possibilities, does it not?
KC you are free to move. You never have a positive word. I love Cali!
Bigger, no it doesn’t. There are a suite of technologies that are close but not proven and no where near commercialized.
But, the simple fact of there being no current alternative to oil makes the whole global warming debate completely meaningless. It is meaningless until a whole lot of money goes into a Manhattan Project type effort. Remember history when the federal government gave $ trillions to big business to perfect nuclear technology?
In 2012 California had the 8th largest economy IN THE WORLD. You flat-earthers can go to Hell-and take your smug “willfully proud of being ignorant” attitude with you. Sorry Kae.
Does it (or will it) ever occur to anybody not to drive quite so much ?. . .or reduce driving equal to the amount of any increase ?. . .the oil companies make less, you can get some exercise away from those two mile drives (or less) to the 7/11 for a quart of milk, and a “pack of cigarettes” (Oh yeah, maybe not smoke so much either – that would save at least $ 4.50 – & add to the health of walking a bit). . . but the 12-pack weighs too much, can’t be carried w/the quart of milk, the Twinkies, or the day-old ‘taquitos’ without taking the car. . .it’s a rough world. . .
Surprise ! Surprise ! That’s what climate change issues are about. . .using less and getting the better of them for it. . .
From the L.A. Times ?. . .maybe cars will then go faster than 3-miles/hour on the bumper-to-bumper 405 on the way to work or ??. . .