Zero-Emission Shuttles Heading to an Airport Near You
Gearing Up to Oppose Incineration and Protect our Forests
Upcoming Events: Channel Islands Tours and Annual Fundraiser
Zero-Emission Shuttles Heading to an Airport Near You
By Katherine Garcia
The next time you hop on an airport shuttle to your terminal, parking lot or car rental lot, you might enjoy a smoother, quieter ride with no tailpipe emissions. For that, you can thank the California Air Resources Board (CARB) which last month unanimously adopted a landmark regulation for transitioning to zero-emission airport shuttles.
The Zero-Emission Airport Shuttle Rule requires 13 airports in California—Burbank-Hollywood, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Ontario, Orange County, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Barbara—to transition in stages. The fleets must consist of 33% zero-emission vehicles by 2027, 66% by 2031 and 100% by 2035.
This rule builds on the success of the zero-emission transit bus rule that CARB passed in 2018. Since airport shuttle operators are different entities from public transit agencies, that class of vehicles warranted its own rulemaking procedure.
This rule will improve air quality near airports, which are often located in disadvantaged communities. Additional benefits include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change, the creation of new, good paying jobs here in our state and improvements in worker health.
California has made adequate funding available through incentive programs to assist airport shuttle bus fleet operators in paying for the capital costs of transitioning to zero-emission shuttle buses. Over time, the rule will save airport operators $30 million, due to reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
By offering a model on how airports can successfully transition to zero-emission vehicles, California is once again leading by example. Special thanks to Sierra Club California’s lead volunteer on the issue, Ray Pingle, who tracked the standard and advocated for a strong rule.
Gearing Up to Oppose Incineration and Protect our Forests
By Daniel Barad
The inauguration of a new governor gives Sierra Club California and our activists a fresh opportunity to fight against dirty biomass incinerators and push for smart climate, energy and forest policy in California.
Talking about biomass incineration in California is my passion (and my job). To gear up for this fight, I plan to give an in-depth presentation about the consequences of biomass incineration to every Sierra Club chapter in California.
Biomass incinerators burn wood and other woody waste to generate electricity. Continued use of outdated biomass incinerators is bad energy policy. California’s 22 operating biomass incinerators are heavy emitters of fine particulate matter and nitrous oxides, two deadly pollutants the state is working tirelessly to eradicate.
Biomass incinerators also spew more climate pollution than methane gas and coal-fired power plants. And, finally, loading trees onto diesel trucks and shipping them up to 50 miles to burn in incinerators results in electricity that is far more expensive than emission-free wind and solar electricity.
Biomass incineration will not solve California’s forest or wildfire woes.
The state must prioritize forest treatments that will save lives and property. Dead trees in danger of falling on homes and infrastructure should be removed. Property owners should be encouraged to follow guidelines to create 100 feet of defensible space from their homes and buildings. The state may also need a number of fuel breaks in close proximity to communities to help stage firefighters.
These essential treatments will generate biomass waste, most of which could be used in ways that are more benign to public health and the environment than incineration. Notably, the state’s existing biomass incineration industry is not set up to use limited amounts of biomass distributed in communities throughout the state. Instead, biomass incinerators prioritize fuel that is cheap to remove (often a product of large-scale tree removal) and cheap to transport (close to facilities).
Biomass incineration is a dirty energy source and an ineffective forest management tool. It is our job to prove this to key decision makers in the state.
Even if I have already presented about biomass incineration to your chapter, I would love to come back and discuss new opportunities and strategies under the Newsom administration. Please reach out to me at Daniel.Barad@sierraclub.org to schedule a presentation.
Upcoming Events: Channel Islands Tours and Annual Fundraiser
By Katherine Garcia
The next few months will be packed with exciting events—all benefiting the California Sierra Club Political Action Committee (PAC), which funds the political activities to elect pro-environmental state and local candidates.
You can enjoy exotic travel off our very own state coast, or attend a fun party to celebrate environmental champions. Here are the details for each event:
Channel Islands Cruise Dates: July 20-23, August 18-20, September 22-24, October 20-22
Travel to the beautiful Channel Islands on a 3-day, 3-island, live-aboard tour with Sierra Club California members.
Join us for a scenic adventure cruise with opportunities to hike, kayak, snorkel, or just relax at sea. You’ll enjoy spectacular wildlife from seabirds and shorebirds to frolicking seals and sea lions.
The tour departs from Santa Barbara, California. The cost, $730, includes an assigned bunk and all meals, snacks, and beverages. Kayaking will be overseen by our concessionaire; all hikes will be on trails, class 1 terrain.
Participating in the tour benefits the California Sierra Club Political Action Committee. To reserve space, write a $200 check made out to California Sierra Club PAC and send it to Joan Jones Holtz, 11826 The Wye Street, El Monte, CA 91732.
For more information contact leaders: Joan Jones Holtz and Wayne Vollaire.
Annual PAC Fundraiser in Orange, CA on Sunday, August 11, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Next month, the California Sierra Club Political Action Committee will host its annual fundraiser entitled 2020: Countdown To a Green Future. Join us on August 11 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Orange Woman’s Club in Orange, CA.
Enjoy a program that includes awards for outstanding political leaders serving communities in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Your donation will help support environmentally friendly candidates at the local and state level. Tickets start at $100. Click here for more information.
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