Ride Share Week - October 2 - 6, 2017

Want to do something easy and inexpensive to help improve the environment? Participate in Ride Share Week 2017 starting tomorrow. Join a carpool, take a bus, ride a bike, or walk to work or school or wherever you usually go. As a bonus, make some new friends and reacquaint yourself with some old ones.

For more information, go to the CommuteKern events website, here: CommuteKern Events

Then once you've seen what a great idea this is, make a pledge to do it!

LiveSmart Fair at Urner's this Saturday - National Drive Electric Week

Want to learn more about electric vehicles? Visit the LiveSmart Fair at Urner's in Bakersfield this Saturday and have all of your questions answered, including what it's like to drive one.

The first 100 people to test drive an EV also will receive a free lunch! Can't beat that unless you win the lottery!

RSVP at National Drive Electric Week's website for a chance to win $250 as well: RSVP website

For more info: Project Clean Air - LiveSmart Fair

Jerry Brown officially extends California's landmark cap-and-trade program

California’s Governor Jerry Brown yesterday signed into law the state’s revised cap-and-trade program, AB 398. The action extends and improves the state’s ambitious and world-leading climate change plan to effect reductions in greenhouse gases.

Photo: California Governor's website

"California is leading the world in dealing with a principal existential threat that humanity faces," said Governor Brown. "We are a nation-state in a globalizing world and we're having an impact and you're here witnessing one of the key milestones in turning around this carbonized world into a decarbonized, sustainable future."

The signing took place on Treasure Island, the same location where former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state’s original cap-and-trade-program, AB 32 (the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) over 10 years ago. The new program, which was approved with bipartisan support, is designed to ensure that California reduces its GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 as required by AB 32.

"Thanks to bipartisan support California was able to extend its historic cap and trade program which protects our environment and preserves our nation-leading economic growth. Governor Brown and legislative leaders from both parties came together to ensure that California continues to march toward a clean, prosperous future. I want to especially thank Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes and his Republican colleagues for following in the footsteps of great Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, who both recognized the importance of fighting for clean air and water and natural spaces. I hope politicians around the country can learn from the example set in Sacramento last week. Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to pass legislation that helps clean up our environment for our children while at the same time supporting a booming economy," said former Governor Schwarzenegger.

"As the Trump Administration seeks to undermine our nation's climate leadership - the world is looking to California. We are proving that growing an economy and protecting the environment is not an either-or proposition; we can and will continue to do both. Today's extension of our landmark cap-and-trade program, coupled with our effective clean energy policies, will move us forward into the future and we plan to take the rest of the world with us," said Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León.

VW Dieselgate fines reach $1.5 Billion in California according to CARB

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced an additional $153.8 million in fines against Volkswagen for the notorious emissions cheating scandal involving its model year 2009 - 2016, 2.0 and 3.0 liter diesel fueled passenger vehicles.

The additional penalties bring the total fines the company must pay in California to nearly $1.5 billion, the largest in history for violations of air quality rules.

“This payment to the State of California closes another chapter in the so-called ‘dieselgate’ case against Volkswagen, but it is not the end of the story,” said CARB Chair Mary Nichols. “There are still consumers waiting to find out the future of their cars. CARB is working with U.S. EPA to determine if the remaining vehicles can be modified.”

“What Volkswagen did was categorically unacceptable,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “At the California Department of Justice, we’ve been holding Volkswagen accountable since we learned of their inexcusable actions. One thing should be crystal clear: wrongdoers who believe they can run and hide are sorely mistaken.”

The total fines are broken down as follows:

1. $153.8 million for penalties for air quality violations and the cost of CARB's investigation.
2. More than $422 million dollars VW must pay into a national trust to mitigate environmental harm in California.
3. $800 million dollars in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) related investments that VW must perform in California pursuant to an investment plan approved by CARB.
4. $25 million dollars VW has paid to CARB to support ZEV investment programs, including vehicle replacement programs, for low-income residents.
5. Consumer relief, including restitution and modification or buy back of the affected vehicles.
6. $86 million dollars it has paid to the California Attorney General’s office for civil penalties and costs.
7. Any additional mitigation payments VW is required to make if it fails to modify or buy back at least 85% of the subject vehicles in California.

The Consent Decree also includes an injunction requiring the company to implement a corporate compliance program, conduct enhanced vehicle testing, and undertake a series of audit and reporting obligations to ensure future compliance with U.S. and California laws and regulations.