Thousands File Opposition Comments on Giant Tunnels
Incentives and Rebates Help Clean Car Adoption
Join #GivingTuesday and Get a Priceless Gift
Thousands File Opposition Comments on Giant Tunnels
By Kyle Jones
More than 30,000 Californians, including thousands of Sierra Club members, filed comments with the Natural Resources Agency last month, opposing the Brown Administration’s proposed San Francisco Bay Delta tunnels project.
The project would build a pair of giant, four-story-high tunnels to move water out of the San Francisco Bay Delta system to parts south. The effect of the tunnels construction and operation would be to further damage water quality in the Bay Delta and rivers that feed into the Delta. They would destroy habitat for already endangered species, and likely destroy certain key fisheries.
The tunnels project would also divert tens of billions of dollars of investment that would be better spent on smart water projects that would increase regional resilience and help Californians better respond to changing rainfall and drought patterns.
The overwhelming number of public comments opposing the tunnel came in response to the combined Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. That report is a key document required before the state can begin to apply for permits for building the tunnels.
Federally, the tunnels must get permits from the Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act because it involves dredging of waters. The tunnels must also pass the muster of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s duties under the Endangered Species Act.
At the beginning of the year, the State Water Resources Control Board will hold hearings on the Department of Water Resources request to move the tunnels project’s water diversion from the current pumping facilities in the southern part of the Delta farther upstream to the Sacramento River. The Board will also handle the permitting for water quality under the Clean Water Act.
The environmental documentation has been done poorly, with much information missing as proponents attempt to fast track the process. Even so, it also clearly demonstrates that species and habitat will be seriously harmed.
Sierra Club California continues to oppose the tunnels. We believe the Delta should be restored and that ratepayer funds are better spent improving local water supplies through more sensible programs, including conservation, efficiency, recycling, stormwater capture, and groundwater cleanup.
The tunnels are a distraction from the real issues facing California’s water supply and the Delta ecosystem, and should be dropped in favor of a plan that is sustainable.
Incentives and Rebates Help Clean Car Adoption
By Diana Vazquez
More than 25 years ago, the California Air Resources Board adopted its first rule requiring automakers to do what some claimed would be impossible: Create and sell zero-emission cars and light-duty trucks.
Now, despite decades of resistance by certain automakers, California’s demand for vehicles that don’t pollute has begun to show big results.
As of April 2015, according to the California Air Resources Board, there were more than 135,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road in California. More amazing, the growth rate of adoption has skyrocketed. In the previous 12 months before the April report, more than 50,000 had been added. Most of those vehicles were battery electric vehicles.
The state is aiming to get 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025.
To make sure that goal is achieved, the governor, the legislature, and state agencies have put in place a range of incentives that help make it easier for California drivers to get into these clean vehicles. Those incentives change as funding availability and other factors change.
For instance, the state offers rebates ranging from $1,500 to $6,500 for the purchase or lease of a ZEV. Up to $6,500 in rebate is available for a fuel cell vehicle, $4,000 for a battery electric vehicle, and $3,000 for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. To qualify for these higher rebate amounts, a consumer’s income cannot exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level: $47,790 for a two person household, $72,750 for a four-person household.
Consumers with higher income earnings - $250, 000 for single filers; $340,000 for head of household filers; and $500,000 for joint filers - are no longer eligible for California rebates. These limits do not apply to a high income individual who wants to buy or lease a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Further details regarding specific income limit changes can be found in the approved funding plan, click here (See Chapter 3, page 26).
Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 are also available, if consumers purchase a ZEV. However, the federal tax credit is only available if the consumer chooses to itemize their taxes upon filing.
You can find a detailed list of rebates and other incentives for various kinds of vehicles at the state’s Drive Clean website.
Join #GivingTuesday and Get a Priceless Gift
By Meg Gunderson
Clean air, fresh water, plentiful wildlife, and unspoiled coast, mountains and desert are priceless. And you can help secure their futures on #GivingTuesday with your donations, volunteer hours, or pro bono service commitment to Sierra Club California.
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you care deeply about California and you understand that Sierra Club California helps preserve and protect the land, air and water that you love so much. #GivingTuesday is a great way to help out Sierra Club California and to become a part of a larger worldwide movement that promotes generosity.
On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. This year, Sierra Club California is again participating in #GivingTuesday.
We invite you to join the movement and to help get out the give this December 1 by going to our Facebook page or our website. Or just click one of the links below.
To volunteer or make a pro bono service commitment, click here.
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Thank you for being a part of our work! You may securely donate online or by sending a check to Sierra Club California at 909 12th Street, Suite 202, Sacramento, CA 95814.
