January 28, 2018
Occasionally, and sometimes from the weirdest quarters, someone will complain to me that the Sierra Club just says no and never has solutions.
However, I know from seven years of working for this organization, and many more as a member, that the complaint has no basis.
I also know that it is often necessary for Sierra Club California and our members to be very clear and bold about what we oppose before others—including allies will listen to solutions.
The man who tweets from the White House has provided a lot of opportunity for Sierra Club California to say NO. A case in point is the recent proposal to open leases for offshore oil drilling.
We oppose new offshore oil drilling for many reasons, the top three being pollution, pollution and pollution. In their most honest moments, even oil lobbyists in Sacramento admit that oil drilling causes air, water and climate pollution.
But we don’t just stop at opposing drilling. We offer solutions.
Transportation produces an overwhelming portion of the health-threatening air pollution in this state and is a leading source of climate pollution. The source of that pollution is the internal combustion engine that depends on oil-derived fuels. In California, transportation accounts for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions—the largest of any economic sector.
One solution is to get the oil out of cars.
In just the last several years, we have:
- Helped advance clean car regulations that have led to greater efficiency and less oil use;
- Pushed for regulations that have made California one of the leading markets for electric vehicles; and
- Helped drive some local transit agencies to buy zero-emission electric buses instead of gas buses, and are working on a statewide rule to get other transit agencies to do the same.
Just recently, we threw our support behind a smart bill, introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting, that makes "Big Oil" uncomfortable.
Assembly Bill 1745 would make sure that by 2040, brand new cars sold in California must be zero-emission vehicles.
Is that an achievable goal? YES.
The most common zero-emission cars are electric vehicles (EVs) that run on batteries that are recharged by plugging them into the grid. A decade ago, there were a tiny handful of EV models on the road. Today, there are over 20 models and more are on the way.
Where once California was alone in demanding zero-emission vehicles, now some countries—Norway, France, Britain, India and China—have set goals to go all EV by 2040 or earlier.
It took about 20 years from the time automobiles were commercially available in the early 20th century for them to replace the horse and carriage as a main transportation mode in America. The year 2040 is less than 20 years away.
Some argue that it is inevitable that EVs will be the norm in 2040 in California. So why the bill?
By setting a goal, Assemblymember Ting’s bill helps prepare for the change that will come. It alerts policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and consumers about what to expect, where to invest and ensure we have the infrastructure for an electrified transportation future.
Which brings me back to offshore oil drilling.
The proposal to expand it in California is not only bad for the environment, it’s bad for investment. Sometimes I wonder if the people who decided to open up offshore drilling would have invested in typewriters when Apple unveiled its first computer.
On February 8, Sierra Club members and our allies will meet in Sacramento to oppose the oil drilling proposal that would threaten 800 miles of coastline at a rally and public meeting. We will point out the problems associated with increasing oil dependence. Plan to join us. RSVP here.
Then, in the weeks after that, we’ll work on one of the solutions: Getting Assemblymember Ting’s AB 1745 out of the legislature and to the governor’s desk.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Phillips
Director
Sierra Club California is the Sacramento-based legislative and regulatory advocacy arm of the 13 California chapters of the Sierra Club.
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