Transportation Fund for Climate Protection

An incredible 50% of the Bay Area's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation (and nearly 40% statewide!). So how are we supposed to cut our emissions 80% by 2050 if all we get are draconian cuts in funding for the very thing that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from transportation - public transit? We can't!

That's why TransForm is working on legislation that would give regional agencies the authority to ask voters to approve a climate impact fee on gasoline or vehicles that would improve public transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the 2008 legislative season, we sponsored AB 2744 and actively supported AB 2558. This issue will remain a top agenda item for TansForm in the 2009-2010 session. AB 2744 (Huffman) would have given Bay Area voters the chance to approve a greenhouse gas mitigation fee of up to 10 cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel, with the revenues funding a Transportation Fund for Climate Protection. AB 2744 was defeated by a narrow margin in the Assembly Transportation Committee. AB 2558 (Feuer, Huffman) would have give any region in California a similar opportunity.

While both bills had tremendous support from environmental and transportation advocates, the opposition by special interests -- led by oil and gas companies that are among the most profitable the world-- was intense. The Western States Petroleum Association, The California Chamber of Commerce, and AAA, came out in full force to oppose these bills.

We have to even more vigilant in generating support as we move forward, and we need your support. Contact or send your contact info indicating your interest in the campaign to Carli Paine.

View the legislation by visiting www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html and type in AB 2744 or AB 2558.

About Climate Change in California and the Bay Area

• ClimatePlan is a new network of organizations working to ensure that AB 32, California's global warming solutions act, contain strong and effective transportation and land use measures.
• Our Changing Climate: Assessing the Risks to California discusses documented impacts of climate change in California.
• The California Air Resources Board has an excellent climate change link.
• The Bay Conservation and Development Coalition (BCDC) provides maps and information about the impacts of climate change on the Bay Area.
• The Bay Area Air Quality Management District's climate change webpage outlines climate change science and solutions.