Prop. 1B Gives CARB $1B for Fuel Cleanup

The California Air Resources Board will receive the greatest infusion of bond money in its history with last week's passage of Proposition 1B. That initiative provides $20 billion for a variety of transportation projects in the state. The air board will receive $1 billion to ensure that ships, trains, and heavy-duty trucks that haul goods are converted to less polluting fuels (Circuit, Nov. 10, 2006). "We are very excited by the passage of Prop. 1B," said air board executive director Catherine Witherspoon during a November 16 board meeting held in San Francisco. She added, however, that the timing of the fund availability will be critical to the cleanup of this sector. The Legislature has been "very prescriptive" in the past when allocating funds, Witherspoon noted, adding that the agency has developed proposed placeholder legislation that would give the air board members more discretion on program spending. She added that she doubts that the proposed legislation will see the light of day. Under Prop. 1B, the Legislature must set program criteria and allocate the fund to the air board. Ships, big-rig trucks, and locomotives are responsible for high levels of emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, which can result in premature deaths, heart and lung disease, and increased cancer risks. According to the board, 30,000 containers come into state ports, and 250,000 big-rig trucks and 1,200 locomotives move goods in and around the state. The use of trains is expected to grow by 100 percent and of heavy-duty trucks by 25 percent by 2020. The air board is seeking an 85 percent reduction in particulate matter created by burning diesel by 2020. Reducing diesel use is a top priority because of its detrimental health impacts. - Elizabeth McCarthy

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Prop. 1B Gives CARB $1B for Fuel Cleanup

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