Comment Log Display

West Valley Citizens Air Watch (WVCAW) Comments:

General 1) 
Reduction of Green House Gases (GHG) need to be linked in tandem
to reductions in toxic air contaminants (TAC) and other harmful
air pollutants. We ask that California Air Resources Board (CARB)
remain clear at all times not to trade off one for the other.
While in many cases, reduction in one category will achieve
reduction in the other, this is not so across the board.

General 2) 
Even with increases in population, if California agencies, boards,
the legislature and the governor are serious regarding GHG
reductions, they can accomplish significant  reductions in  the
amount of electricity needed to be generated to support California
residents and businesses.

If GHG emissions is a critically serious situation for our planet,
it is time to think outside the box. For example, consider that
when the engineered “energy crisis” of 2000 and 2001 was taking
place, and PG&E went bankrupt, the governor and legislature could
have created out of it a regional public utility. After all, the
public already subsidizes much of the infrastructure upon which
the utility is built and electricity is after all a necessary
public good.

Keeping the profit margin along with shareholders demanding ever
increasing profits in the equation is diametrically opposed to
reducing both the monetary costs to the public  and the amount of
electric generation. Taking the profit motive out of the equation
will lead to lower prices and public buy-in of reductions for
environmental protection. 

An illustrative example are the two electric generators in
Cleveland, Ohio, one public and one private. The public served by
the public utility pays lower electric costs and has more money
left in their bank accounts than those served by the private
for-profit company. The electricity works the same. 

Another advantage of a public utility is transparency. Documents
regarding pricing and pollution would be available to the public
-- should not the public be able to review these important
considerations? We think so.

General 3)
The Cap and Trade scheme has been found to have failed in the
European Union. Are we going to follow on with the same failed
scheme? It’s a bad idea whose time has past. Let’s keep it there.

General 4)
Passive solar buildings, photovoltaics, wind power, insulation,
substitution of lower Carbon Intensity Factor (CIF) materials,
awareness and reduction in waste are some of the contributors to
this future reduction. Californians have already proven they can
reduce their per capita use of electricity. Yet so much waste and
unnecessary expenditure of electric power remains for the picking.
This, with no reduction in quality or enjoyment of life. 

General 5)
West Valley Citizens Air Watch asks to be included as a
Stakeholder for purposes of AB 32 regulation development and
related regulations and issues. We ask to be included in any
meetings, discussions, rule making and regulation development
regarding cement kilns, cement production, uses of concrete and
alternatives to limestone clinker, cement, and concrete.

Original File Name:

Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-08-04 11:39:50