Comment Log Display

March 21, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, 

As a former educator of forty years, and as a father of two
children and grandfather of five – three girls and two boys – I
worry about the environment we are leaving our children, with
polluted air, vanishing resources, and the worrisome issue of
climate change.  Children are extremely observant and shrewd. 
They look to our example.  I fear we have failed them.

As a conservative Republican who served in the Reagan
Administration, I am outraged by the effects of our consumption of
foreign oil on our national security and foreign policy.  Further,
I am frustrated that for all of its ambition and talent, my
country has not had the foresight, courage, or political
leadership to genuinely commit to the most viable alternatives to
the petroleum we consume.  The best way to get people to use less
oil is to give them the opportunity to use less or none. 
Therefore, I am mystified as to why California Air Resources Board
(CARB) would sacrifice 90 percent of the Zero-Emission Vehicles
(ZEVs) committed by automakers in 2003 and settle for barely more
than a handful a year in their new proposal.

Others have dramatically called for an “Apollo” project to create
alternatives.  After having the opportunity to drive an electric
vehicle, I now realize an “Apollo” project is not necessary.  What
is desperately needed is commitment to what your state began in the
1990s.  I all but beg you to direct CARB to put electric vehicles
back on the road again by adopting the changes to the ZEV Program
proposed by Plug-In America.  California once passionately led the
country in this “space.” I implore you to renew that commitment by
requiring automakers to build all of the ZEVs they have promised –
and more.  Ten other states now adopt CARB’s decisions.  Only if
California leads will those of us in other areas of the country,
and my children and grandchildren, have the opportunity to enjoy a
foreign policy less driven by our oil consumption, enjoy a stronger
national security, and enjoy a more pristine and healthy
environment.

Aristotle had it right – he maintained that courage means having
the right amount of fear for the situation faced and know what to
fear and what not to fear.  How wonderful it would be if CARB
showed by its decision that it has the right amount of fear about
what is happening and will continue to happen to our country
because of our dependence on oil, and more importantly, that CARB
has the courage to intervene.

Respectfully,



Dr. Peter R. Greer
1320 21st St. NW #101
Washington, D.C. 20036

Cc: Mary Nichols, Ph.D.
      California Air Resources Board