Legislative report from Sierra Club California | by Bill Magavern, Senior Legislative Representative Sierra Club California’s efforts in the State Capitol this year resulted in some noteworthy successes, although much-needed actions to protect the environment were often blocked by business lobbies and their political allies. Our new web-based action network, combined with another jam-packed Lobby Day, activated members and increased our clout with elected officials. Victories California’s environmental movement made national, even international, news over the summer with the enactment of AB 1493 (Pavley, D-Agoura Hills), which has set the Air Resources Board working on the first-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. We are now engaged in the long struggle to implement this law, with the goal of having significantly cleaner new vehicle fleets in seven years. Smart growth advocates scored a significant win with the signing of AB 857 (Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa), supported by environmental, labor and social equity groups. The new law establishes state growth priorities that favor infill development and more compact suburban growth and protect the most valuable natural and agricultural resources. Californians will enjoy improved access to coastal areas due the passage of SB 1962 (Polanco, D-Los Angeles). This law requires the Coastal Conservancy to preserve opportunities for new public access ways along the coast. Too often wealthy landowners resist allowing the public to enjoy access to some of our finest beaches. Vetoed by Governor Two toxics bills supported by both environmentalists and waste management companies passed in the Assembly only to be vetoed by Governor Davis. SB 1970 (Romero, D-Los Angeles), sponsored by Sierra Club California and Committee to Bridge the Gap, would have required that radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons plants go only to facilities designed and licensed to take radioactive wastes. The bill would have reversed the radioactive waste deregulation carried out by Davis’ Department of Health Services, which has allowed radioactive wastes to go to metal recyclers, local landfills, schools and parks. SB 1523 (Sher, D-Palo Alto), sponsored by Californians Against Waste, would have established a small recycling fee on the sale of computer monitors and televisions with cathode ray tubes, which contain toxic lead. Passed but weakened The Legislature and Governor moved to restore our state’s position as a worldwide leader in clean renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power. SB 1078, another Byron Sher bill, will reduce both the pollution and price volatility of fossil and nuclear fuels by requiring electricity sellers to derive 20% of their power from renewable sources. Unfortunately, opposition from utilities forced some weakening of the bill, which establishes what is known as a “Renewables Portfolio Standard.” Did not pass Because of opposition from the timber lobby and some labor unions, we were unable to get a bill to Governor Davis on forestry reform. SB 234 (Kuehl, D-Santa Monica) would have changed the make-up of the Board of Forestry, an important first step. Defensive Action One of the hardest fought and most extensively negotiated bills of the year was SB 482 (Kuehl). This legislation facilitates a water transfer between the Imperial Irrigation District and the San Diego Water Authority. The Sierra Club worked hard to prevent lasting damage to the Salton Sea, and our advocacy resulted in amendments that limited the scope of the repeal of the Fully Protected Species statutes. Governor Davis signed SB 482. Sierra Club California represents the over 200,000 Sierra Club members in California at the State Capitol. [ top of page ]

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