SB 1240 (Kehoe) interferes with the development of a competitive
alternative fuels market and threatens job creation in
California by creating a costly Low Carbon Fuel Standard that
conflicts with the existing standard created by Governor's
Executive Order S-7-04. In order to meet increasing consumer
demand, it is necessary that the fuels market is full of options
and represents a mix of alternatives. However, unlike the
Governor’s Executive Order, this bill would limit the fuel
technology providers could use to meet the 10% reduction
standard.
Last year Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law the world’s
most sweeping legislation to control global greenhouse gas
emissions, Assembly Bill 32. This groundbreaking legislation
establishes a process for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
requires the development of a comprehensive plan in a balanced
and expeditious manner, including encouraging the use of
alternative fuels. The California Air Resources Board has been
tasked with the duty to explore and develop regulations to
achieve the reductions required under AB 32. This process is
currently underway. SB 1240 (Kehoe) however, ignores this
planning and prejudges the outcome of AB 32 and the Governor’s
Low Carbon Fuel Standard as created in his Executive Order
earlier this year.
In order to ensure the best future for California, we must
continue to work diligently on the various initiatives that are
underway. Establishing another standard will only stall the
reductions and create more uncertainty in the regulatory
process.