CLEANER CARS IN OUR FUTURE
2009 Also Saw Advances in Recycling and Water Conservation, Thanks to Sierra Club California’s Advocacy

                Although gridlock reigned in Sacramento for much of the year, Sierra Club California’s advocacy efforts paid off in some important wins for our water, air and atmosphere. Read full article here.

                Since 2001 we have campaigned to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from passenger vehicles, and this was the year that we passed the final roadblocks on that route to cleaner cars. In May, President Obama reversed George W. Bush’s errant course and announced that the federal government would allow California’s vehicle standards to take effect. In fact, he also declared that new national standards would follow California’s lead.

                In the California Legislature, the “sponsor” of a bill is a group that conceives of legislation, testifies for it, and pushes it through the entire process, from introduction to signing. This year, Sierra Club California successfully sponsored Assembly Bill 975, authored by Assemblymember Paul Fong.  Thanks to this legislation, water corporations with more than 500 service connections will be required to install water meters on unmetered connections by 2025, and water billing will be based on meter readings and actual volume of water used. These measures will save more of California’s precious water supply.

                After we pass legislation, we make sure it is implemented. One of our sponsored bills, the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act, authored by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin, took effect this year. Because of this law, the companies that made thermostats containing mercury, a potent neurotoxin, are required to take back waste thermostats at no charge to the consumer. To find a collection point, go to http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/.