L02: 059 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07/22/2002 GOVERNOR DAVIS SIGNS HISTORIC GLOBAL WARMING BILL 07/22/2002 AB
1493 Positions California, Again, as Environmental Leader
LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO Governor Gray Davis today signed landmark legislation to combat global warming, putting California at the forefront of a worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gases. "This is the first law in America to substantively address the greatest environmental challenge of the 21st century," Gov. Davis said. "In time, every state - and hopefully every country - will act to protect future generations from the threat of global warming. For California, that time is now." Assembly Bill 1493, authored by Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), requires the California Air Resources Board to develop carbon pollution (greenhouse gas) standards for vehicles in model year 2009 and beyond. The standards will apply to automakers' fleet averages, rather than each individual vehicle, and carmakers will be able to partially achieve the standards by reducing pollution from non-auto sources (e.g. factories, etc.). Californians will continue to choose and purchase vehicles of their choice. "The technology is available. It's affordable. And it's widely utilized in other countries," Gov. Davis said. "We're merely asking business to do what business does best: innovate, compete, find solutions to problems and do it in a way that strengthens the economy. "Opponents of this bill say the sky is falling," the Governor continued. "But they said it about unleaded gasoline. They said it about catalytic converters. They said it about seat belts and air bags. But the sky is not falling. It's just getting a whole lot cleaner." The most common form of greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). Most of California's CO2 comes from transportation and almost 40 percent is from passenger vehicles. "This legislation is based four-square on sound science," Gov. Davis said. "Global warming is no longer a theory. It's an urgent reality." Gov. Davis has a solid record of protecting and enhancing California's spectacular environment. Said Sierra Club President Carl Pope: "Without a leader at the top with courage and vision, AB 1493 would not be reality. That leader is Governor Gray Davis. Today California is leading the nation and the world and showing that we can address our environmental problems and keep our economy strong. We can and we must do this." Business leaders also applauded today's signing. "California business is happy to see AB 1493 signed," said Bob Epstein, co-founder of Sybase, in Dublin, Calif., and the business group Environmental Entrepreneurs. "We believe that a healthy environment and a stable climate is in the best interest of all California businesses. This bill will extend the extraordinary track record of the California Environmental Protection Agency safeguarding our environment." "I am extraordinarily proud of Governor Davis for standing up to enormous pressure from the auto industry and oil companies who waged war against this bill. Today is another giant step toward cleaner air for all Californians and serves as a model for our country to follow," said Assemblymember Fran Pavley, author of AB 1493. Many myths have developed about what California's new law requires. Governor Davis made clear that AB 1493 will not impose new vehicle or gasoline taxes and will not limit miles driven or require smaller, lighter or slower vehicles. Nor will it limit SUV, mini-van or any other type of vehicle ownership. "Some of the technology to reduce carbon pollution is already in use today on vehicles you can buy from your local dealership," Gov. Davis said. "These technologies are as simple as smoother rolling tires and wheels, some as innovative as advanced transmissions or hybrid drives. The bill I've signed directs the ARB to consider the overall costs of these technologies. In any case, the ARB will be setting the standards, but the carmakers will decide what specific technologies to use." CO2 and other greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere and trap increasing amounts of the sun's heat. As a result, climates change and weather patterns become more unpredictable with greater variations between cold snaps and heat waves. "You don't have to look far to see where California could be affected by global warming," Gov. Davis observed. "From our seaside communities to our low-lying agricultural land to the Tracy pumps that send fresh water south, we could be affected by a relatively small rise in sea level. The Department of Water Resources tells me that California's snowpack, our state's greatest natural reservoir, is already less reliable than it was just a few decades ago. We know the costs if we don't act. "Acting
decisively and showing leadership is what California has always done.
That
is what we are doing today with a law that will benefit all of us here
today as well as our children and their children who may be born
decades
from now. We don't often have a chance to vote for or sign a bill we
are
positive will be remembered long after we are gone. We can be sure we
will
have earned the gratitude of Californians and other Americans who will
follow us," Gov. Davis concluded.
ECOMM 2001Promoted by SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY IN TOWNS - Rome - Palazzo dei Congressi EUR 6 - 11 February 2001 Florence, 29 January 2001 - EnvironmentIn many cities the growing emission of carbon dioxide caused by urban transport make more difficult the achievement of the goals fixed by Kyoto Protocol. It is necessary to make a fundamental policy change with the introduction of a radical integrated urban mobility policy. The organisation, in Italy, of the Fifth International Conference on Mobility Management (ECOMM) represents an important opportunity to compare national experience with foreign experiences. Moreover the following ALTER meeting on alternative vehicles give us the occasion to be acquainted with the innovations that motor and motor-cycling companies have introduced in the field of electric, gas and hydrogen engines. These initiatives take place in the very moment in which the Italian Ministry of Environment decided to foster urban mobility financing projects of car sharing, collective –taxi, low environmental impact vehicles and other innovative solutions with a total cost of 155 billion Liras. In relation to the mobility management and the transport demand mobility, 30 billion Liras have been assigned to local authorities which have already established the mobility structures. In fact Italian laws require companies with more than 300 employees to appoint a mobility manager. We aim, in this way, to encourage manifold projects and improve home-work travelling in medium and large cities reducing the use of private cars and, consequently, the environmental impact. More in general, the Ministry of Environment operates in order to increase attention on traffic problems by involvement of public opinion. Significant, in this field ,is the extraordinary success of the 10 Car Free days, an initiative which involved 18 million citizen in 150 cities. That event ncouraged the increase of public funds in order to reduce car pressure in towns and to adopt radical policies for a sustainable urban mobility at local level. Minister of Environment 2 0 0 1 Florence add 23 more EV chargers Florence, 10 March 2000 - The city of Florence Berkeley has just added twentytwo more public-assess electric vehicle (EV)-recharging stations.. The city already provides 38 free, on-street parking and charging for EVs using chargers. Users of the City chargers won't pay for electricity. 150 Cities in Italy Ban Cars for 1 Day to Cut Smog 7 February 2000 - Italy - To cut smog in heavily polluted city centers, about 150 cities and towns in Italy banned all cars - except zero-emission electric vehicles - on Sunday. Among the cities participating in the experiment were Rome, Florence and Milan. In some areas, public transportation such as buses, streetcars and subways were free, along with admission to museums and archeological sites. Other cities merely offered reduced fares. Ten of the cities ordered all but emergency vehicles banned, while others allowed government vehicles and some other exceptions. Environment Minister Edo Ronchi promoted the car ban, but cities were free to decide if they wanted to participate. Ninety-two cities participated in a previous ''car-free'' day in September. Cities are being encouraged to join the car-free program on the first Sunday of each month until May. The city of Palermo has already elected to have car-free days on every Sunday through the end of May. Florence, October 4, 1999 - 50 billion of italian Lire for electric scooter by Common of Rome to purchasers. Ok Rome. Two new scooter Florence, September 22, 1999 - At the end of 1999 will be a new electric scooter, and an 150 cc equivalent electric maxi scooter at Spring 2000. Increased economical incentives for purchasers of electric scooter Florence, June 1, 1999 - We have signed the 'New Memorandum of Understanding' with Florence Municipality. In said document there are three novelties vis-a-vis the previous Memorandum of Understanding: a) increase of municipality contribution from 500.000 to 800.000 Italian lire (= 413 Euro) for electric scooter; b) from 150.000 to 300.000 lire (= 155 Euro) for el. bikes pedalling assisted; c) the contribution is extended also to the non resident in the municipality area but working there since at least one years. The purchaser will have a lower purchase prise (considering also the manufacturers' discount) for 1.400.000 lire for el. scooter and 480.000 lire for bike ped.ass.. The integral text of the Memorandum. Spin yourself- the international fair of alternative fuel vehicles on may 28-29-30-1999. Conference, exhibition - Parco delle Cascine -F lorence - Italy April 1999 -What is "ruotati". An international trade show open
to the
public, lasting three days devoted to conferences and debates on the
subject
of alternative transportation, exhibitors' booths with their
innovative
ideas and products, competitions and performances, trial runs on
cycling
paths, meetings of amateur and professional clubs, screenings of videos
on alternative transportation, illustration of the new media of
communication
which help us reduce our need to commute physically. The visitors are
invited
to reach the show on foot, by bicycle, and if they come by car, are
encouraged
to use the exchange parking lots, like the Parterre of piazza della
Libertà,
as another way of reminding you that they're there! "ruotati" will give
you a chance to admire and try out: bicycles, mountain bikes, tandems
and
scooters; tricycles and quadricycles pedal-, solar-, and wind-powered
for
one to four people;
Policy option: environmental considerations in purchasing and tendering 1/7/1999- ... 22. As large consumers of goods and services, city authorities can have significant buying power and the signals they give about purchasing priorities can be very influential. Inclusion of environmental criteria in specifications can both support manufacturers of sustainable products directly and give a valuable signal to both suppliers and other purchasers. Wherever a city authority is buying goods or obtaining services through a commercial contracting or tendering process, environmental criteria should be included in the tender specifications. This can ensure that contracted-out services meet the same environmental standards as provision in-house. This is becoming increasingly important as de-regulation and privatization of local government services increases the role of the private sector. Inclusion of explicit environmental requirements in internal service level agreements can likewise ensure that separation of 'purchaser' and 'provider' functions helps rather than hinders improvement in environmental performance. This presupposes a firm commitment to the view that good environmental performance is an integral part of the service being delivered, rather than an extraneous distraction. ... (EUROPEAN SUSTAINABLE CITIES- Report -Expert Group on the Urban Environment-European Commission-Directorate General XI) Policy option: influencing behaviour 1/7/1999-... 40. Public awareness and information campaigns to influence behaviour are vital accompanying measures to the range of actions outlined above. There is also some evidence to show that on their own, campaigns can make a small but significant contribution. Influencing behaviour can be based on pull-factors, but linkages should also be made to healthy lifestyles, economic efficiency and equity. A key element is to make the most of favourable public opinion. There are large majorities in favour of preferential treatment of the more environment friendly modes of transport. ... (EUROPEAN SUSTAINABLE CITIES- Report -Expert Group on the Urban Environment-European Commission-Directorate General XI) Agreement with electric vehicle manufacturers,City Council and Provincia of Pisa 20 November 1998 - Memorandum of Understanding will be signed on November 24th with City Council, Provincia of Pisa and manufacturers of electric scooters and electric bicycles who will grant to the purchaser a discount of Lit. 500.000.= (250.000 for bikes) plus an additional contribution in the amount of 500.000.= (250.000 for bikes). Memorandum of understanding Alter Europe in Florence 21/25 October 1998 The ALTER Project aims, through joint
action by
European cities, to demonstrate a demand for clean vehicles which
encourages
manufacturers to shift to volume production at lower costs.
Fifteen charger points for Electric scooters in Florence Florence, 08/12/98 -
Next Events in Florence - EV Exhibitions in Piazza S.Spirito
- 17 May - 9:00 19:30
1998 Agreement with EV Manufacturers and City Council of Florence March 14,1998- see below . Twelve charger points for EV in Florence March 14,1998- Twelve charger points for electric vehicles will set up in Florence, in additions to existing three. There will be 102 socket for EV; free recharge. Spin yourself-
the
international fair of alternative fuel vehicles
EV Exhibitions in Piazza S.Spirito, Florence (from press release of Florence Town Council) January 16,1998 - The Council of Quarter
1 and
Town councillor for Traffic Control Mr. Amos Cecchi organize a periodic
exhibition of electric vehicles which will take place in Piazza
S.Spirito,
Florence from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Manufacturers
of electric vehicles will take part in the exhibition with their motor
bicycles, scooters, cars and multipurpose vehicles.
CIP 025 Y Scooter to Pisa December 1997 - An electric scooters CIP025Y will be used by Servizio antinquinamento di Pisa. Scooter type CIP 025 supplied to Florence Municipal Police December 1997 - An electric scooters CIP 025 "Police" with special accessories will be used by traffic-policemen in the pedestrian precinct of Florence. Scooter type CIP 025 supplied to Florencepost office July 1997 - An electric scooters type CIP 025 "Delivery" with special accessories will be tested for months at Florence Post office for mail delivery in old town center. Charger points for EV in Florence July 1997 - The first three charger points for electric vehicles were set up in the old town center of Florence. Thus until the end of 1997 there will be eighteen free of charge sockets for scooters and motorbikes in addition to the three sockets for 4-wheel vehicles. They are located in Via Pellicceria, Via delle Farine, Via de' Gondi. Agreement with City Council of Florence (1997) June 1997 - Piaggio, Mase, Celco P. and Pasquali reached an agreement ("Memorandum of Understanding" ) with City Council of Florence who will grant to the purchaser of an electric scooter a discount of Lit. 500.000.= (US$ 278) plus an additional contribution in the amount of 500.000.= (US$ 278) from City Council of Florence. The purchaser will also receive a key (an electronic one in the near future) to gain access to charger points free of charge. Agreement with "Firenze Parcheggi"(Florence car parks) June 1997 - The first four electric scooter type CIP025Y were delivered to Firenze Parcheggi. If you leave your car at Parterre, Piazza Libertà car park, you can use free of charge an electric scooter to reach the center pedestrian precinct. Rome - Florence raid by CIP 025 Electric Scooter 15/6/97 we realized a 335 km (209 miles)
raid
with the following results:
The result concerning the medium
speed is
total 38.30 Km/h (23.7 miles/h) including the stop for battery change
(2
minute each charge) and not unforeseen stops.
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