Posted on 08/27/2005 12:50:44 PM PDT by SmithL
SACRAMENTO - Bay Area transit agencies are fighting a proposed state regulation that would force them to use natural gas buses -- a move that could cost $300 million and trigger reductions in service while reaping big bucks for an industry that has contributed heavily to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The requirement, to be considered by air regulators next month, has amplified concern not only about special interest influence but also about the governor's appointment of Cindy Tuck to lead the California Air Resources Board. Tuck is a former energy industry lobbyist who faces a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
The regulation would direct transit agencies to begin abandoning diesel buses by 2007 in favor of those running on natural gas to help reduce air pollution in urban areas.
But to start using natural gas buses, transit agencies would have to build special fueling stations and retrofit maintenance facilities, said Randy Rentschler, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. In addition, they would have to buy the more expensive natural gas-burning buses for replacements. All told, it would cost the region roughly $300 million, the MTC has estimated.
"It would be unconscionable for the board to change direction at this point," said Mark DeSaulnier, a Contra Costa County supervisor, who is also a member of the air board and the MTC, which oversees the Bay Area's transportation agencies.
"Changing midstream," DeSaulnier said, "would clearly signal to me it's not about public health, it's about campaign contributions or other political ramifications."
It was unclear Friday just how much the natural gas industry has contributed to the governor, though a quick review of his various campaign funds show it's at least in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the allegation is prompted by the battle over Tuck.
"This is a baseless allegation to do nothing but try to derail the confirmation of Cindy Tuck, who is a well-qualified chair of the air resources board," Soderland said, "and someone who is dedicated to protecting the environment and improving air quality in California."
Area transportation officials, though, contend the changeover seems pointless because stiffer requirements mandate that agencies phase in zero emission buses -- hydrogen-fuel and electric, but not natural gas -- beginning in 2010.
For the past six years, the state has allowed transit agencies to keep running diesel buses as long as they took other steps to cut emissions. The Bay Area is the one of the last bastions in the state for diesel buses; most other transit districts have already switched to natural gas.
For AC Transit, which runs 650 buses mostly in Alameda County, the consequences could be dire, said Chris Peeples, a member of the agency's board of directors.
"The bottom line," Peeples said, "is unless there is a dramatic increase in our funding we would have to dramatically decrease our service."
The agencies serving the South and East Bay -- the Valley Transit Authority and Contra Costa County Transit Authority -- would face large cost increases as well, about $60 million and $16 million, respectively.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican who rode to office touting his green positions, has irked environmentalists this year with some of his decisions, including selecting Tuck to replace Alan Lloyd as chairman of the air board. Lloyd became secretary of the state Environmental Protection Agency in January.
Tuck, 45, is a Sacramento attorney who worked as a lobbyist for the industry-backed California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance. Although personable, Tuck has ignited controversy because of her steadfast opposition to air regulations as a lobbyist.
The bus issue illustrates why Tuck's nomination is problematic, said Bill Magavern, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, which opposes her appointment.
"We are concerned that because of her background for big oil and big utility companies," Magavern said, "the air board would lose its position as the leading air quality standards setter in the United States."
Jerry Martin, a spokesman for the air board, said the forced move from diesel to natural gas buses is only one of three options the board can choose Sept. 15. Regulators could opt instead to set lower emission targets or simply keep things the way they are. Schwarzenegger has appointed five of the 11 members on the air board.
Regardless of how many constructive ideas one proposes, this is why working with Arnold would fall on deaf ears. He belongs lock, stock, and barrel to the financial interests using environmental regulations for fun and profit. When you learn how corrupt his associations really are, you will finally begin to understand my opposition to his governance.
Well, don't all the libs want alternative fuels, very clean air, and such?
So whats up? They didn't think that those things were free did they?
On the other hand, think of all the cheap diesel buses that will soon be on ebay!
Sell them to San Francisco. They can resell the running gear, and use the money to modify the interiors & install grocery-cart ramps, then use them as homeless shelters & day-labor sites...
San Diego is one of the majority of districts that use Natural Gas buses. Although they are still extremely noisy, at least the air right behind them (and inside them) doesn't smell as bad (no more diesel exhaust fumes) and is probably less carcinogenic.
Tuck has ignited controversy because of her steadfast opposition to air regulations as a lobbyist.
The bus issue illustrates why Tuck's nomination is problematic, said Bill Magavern, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, which opposes her appointment.
Why does the Sierra Club oppose her? If she supports using natural gas instead of diesel buses, it seems like the bus engine fuel change would be good for California air, and they ought to support her. If she opposes the natural gas buses, then the SF bay area transit officials ought to be happy because they'll have more money to waste on non-capital expenses, but then the Sierra Club ought to oppose those transit officials.
State plans crackdown on transit diesel buses
East Bay agency questions big donations from natural gas interests to governor's coffers just days before clean-air proposal(snip)
At issue is a long-simmering dispute over how best to reduce pollution from California's public transportation fleets. In 1999, the air board required that transit agencies reach a zero-emission standard by 2010. But it left open the question of which fuel the agencies could use to get there -- natural gas or diesel.
Many public transit agencies, including most of those in the Bay Area, chose the diesel route, believing improvements in diesel fuel standards and technology would enable them to comply. But environmentalists say they have seen nothing so far to indicate that diesel technology will ever be able to power buses as cleanly as natural gas.
The state air board could soon render the debate moot. The issue, which is to be voted on by the air board Sept. 15, has set off alarms at both the California Transit Association and Alameda County Transit.
The proposal came just weeks after Texas oil mogul T. Boone Pickens and a vehicular natural gas company he founded donated $100,000 to Schwarzenegger's political campaign committee, the California Recovery Team.
If the State plans a crackdown, does that mean they're sitting on their butts? That isn't news.
The Grovelnator corrupt? Nothing new there either.
It's all so predicted. I don't get it? What is this thread about anyway?
Ohhhh, I get it. It's about Arnold's buddies in the NRDC pushing "cleaner buses" so that they can make more money in natural gas. Who knew?
Does T. Boone Pickens usually travel in that crowd?
It seemed to open up a different group of players, like some from
that famed Riordan/Schwarzenegger/Enron meeting of times past.
C.O. yew gnew, that's who! Cawhit kiddin around will ya?
He hasn't even been hard put to vastly out-do Davis for what we recalled him for and is totally unabashed about it!!! Yet some of these YO-YO's on here just keep right on a swoonin the Schwartzenrenegger Swoon!!!
It's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen in any kind of political discussion environment!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.