California League of Conservation Voters E-newsletter

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2004 Legislative Wrap-up

If ever there were a year to test the environmental commitment of a new governor, 2004 is it. As we head toward one of the most important elections of our time, Californians are clamoring for relief from the environmental assault being waged on the federal level. At the close of his first legislative session in office, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger must consider an impressive suite of environmental bills on his desk—all awaiting his signature.

Photovoltaic solar panels like this one could appear on new houses in California if the Governor signs AB 135.

After a banner year in 2003, CLCV worked hard to ensure that the legislature lived up to its potential in 2004. We passed through hundreds of calls to legislators to garner critical swing votes on our most important bills.

If signed, this year’s legislation will:

Increase funding to reduce diesel emissions by $80 million/yr (AB 923)
Eliminate the smog check exemption for old cars (AB 2683)
Begin to fund a “million solar homes” initiative (AB 135)
Establish a Sierra Nevada Conservancy (AB 2600)
Create the California Ocean Protection Act (SB 319)
Eliminate pollution from cruise ships (AB 2093, AB 2672)
Cap air pollution at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach at current levels (AB 2042)
Mandate that pesticide drift offenders pay victims’ medical costs (SB 391)
Speed up adoption of renewable power—20% by 2010 (SB 1478)

Although these bills passed, many important others did not. The legislature, especially the Assembly, continues to be influenced by the “Moderate Caucus,” Democrats who use their power as a voting bloc to impede the progress of many important bills, including Senator Byron Sher’s bill (SB 1477) to restore protections to wetlands that were gutted by the Bush Administration.

Wind farms, which provide clean and renewable energy, could spring up all over California if Governor Schwarzenegger signs SB 1478.

The close of the 2004 legislative session also saw the departure of several pro-environmental lions of the Legislature, especially Senator Byron Sher, who is certainly the most important environmental legislator in the history of California and perhaps the US; and Senator John Burton, who as President pro Tem of the Senate, distinguished himself by following Sher’s lead and affirming the seamless connection between economic justice and environmental protection.

Governor Schwarzenegger entered the Capitol unknown and unpredictable on environmental issues, but he got off to a promising start. His Environmental Action Plan, issued during his campaign, among other things, called for a 50% reduction in air pollution, solar panels on 50% of new homes, protection for the Sierra Nevada, and reduced ocean pollution.

The Governor now faces his moment of truth. Is he a revolutionary Teddy Roosevelt-style Republican who will protect the environment and begin to moderate the extreme anti-environmental direction of the state party, or is he more of what we’ve come to expect? Let him know what you think by September 30, the deadline for him to sign or veto bills.