Just as the Trump administration relaxed standards for Detroit last week, the California Air Resources Board has adopted tough new fuel standards. It has mandated that a certain percentage of cars in the Golden State be zero emission or electric. A total of 13 states currently adhere to California's tailpipe rule, meaning that California sets the standard for 40 percent of the country. Its air resources board predates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington and Oregon are phasing out their last coal-fired power plants. The Washington Dept. of Ecology has refused to grant permits for a proposed coal export terminal at Longview on the Columbia River. Two dirty 1975-vintage coal plants in Montana, controlled by Puget Sound Energy, are due for shutdown by 2022 if not sooner. Montana is trying to keep two other plants at the Colstrip site in operation by possible use of corporate welfare. Inslee, California Gov. Jerry Brown and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed the governors' statement. (Inslee, Brown and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy joined in Seattle last Saturday for a pricey Democratic Governors Association fundraiser.) The mayors of Seattle, Portland, Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles also signed. They urged the rest of America to wake up to the joys of clean air, the urgency of climate action, and the economic possibilities. "We urge states, cities and businesses from across the country to join us in leading and re-affirming our commitment to cut carbon emissions and reverse the damaging impacts to our communities of unfettered pollution," they wrote.
This is important. It sets up a showdown with the federal government. Trump talks a lot about state rights. So let's see if he walks the walk.
He threw out the idea of cutting federal funding to California if it didn't relinquish the sanctuary city designations. CA's response, that took shape quickly and was garnering early support was, "Fine. Then don't expect federal tax dollars." The talk was having the citizens send a commiserate amount to the State instead of the Feds. As the largest taxpayer in the country, by far, California could pull that off.
Haven't heard much about sanctuary city status lately though. I wonder why.
