The Institute joined political, business and environmental leaders in Sacramento on August 3rd for an event celebrating California’s continued leadership on protecting air quality and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
Senator Fran Pavley and V. John White, Executive Director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT), hosted the event to commemorate the 15th anniversary of California’s historic greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions law AB 1493.
AB1493, also know as the “Clean Car Law,” was authored by Fran Pavley, signed into law by Governor Gray Davis in 2002 and implemented during the Schwarzenegger administration. The statute mandated a reduction in GHG emissions produced by vehicles by limiting carbon dioxide emission levels per mile driven. The law was opposed by auto manufacturers and was officially challenged by the Bush administration in the courts. After years of litigation and state and federal negotiations California was granted authority in June 2009 by the U.S. EPA to implement the regulations outlined in Pavely’s “Clean Car Law.”
The Sacramento celebration highlighted the important role and tremendous impact that a dedicated coalition of leaders can make; even when opposed by powerful interests.