“Today the Legislature passed the California Clean Air Initiative, the largest ever single-year commitment of funding devoted to reducing air pollution in our state. AB 134 takes $900 million of funds derived from auctioning off carbon allowances and puts it into incentives for reducing emissions from cars, trucks, buses and other engines.
These funds will be used for essential incentive programs that cut emissions of diesel exhaust, other air pollutants and greenhouse gases while creating jobs for Californians.
These proven programs include:
- Grants and vouchers for cleaner trucks and advanced-technology freight-moving equipment;
- Grants and vouchers for the purchase of zero-emission transit buses and school buses;
- Assistance for low-income drivers who scrap dirty old cars and replace them with advanced clean vehicles; and
- Rebates for purchases of electric vehicles.
We thank Senate President pro tem Kevin de León, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Governor Jerry Brown for putting real money into cleaning up the sources of pollution that still make the air unhealthy to breathe at times in most of the state. This summer’s high smog levels remind us that this kind of commitment will be necessary for many years, and this budget bill is an excellent down payment.”
