State Issues

Air Quality

Support measures that promote a voluntary market-based air quality programs (grants, emissions trading, tax incentives and vehicle scrappage.)
 

AB 2553- Air Quality Mitigation Zones (March 2006)
 

The Chamber conceptually supports AB 2553which would create an air quality mitigation zone for the purpose of creating jobs and reducing air pollution. Zones can be designated in any area of the state within a serious, severe, or extreme non-attainment air basin. This bill would allow a 10% tax credit on tools that help reduce air pollution and/or produce renewable energy, ie, solar panels.

Provide recommendations that offset the cost of imposing more expensive measures on stationary sources and the driving public.
 

AB 1478 Toxic Chemicals: Release Form (June 2006)
 

The Chamber opposed AB 1478 which would require particular businesses to report, starting on a specific date, on the annual use and disposal of toxic chemicals.

SB 1252 Air pollution, penalties: particulate matter (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposed SB 1252 which would impose a fine of up to $25,000 per violation for a discharge of PM10 or PM 2.5 and increases the fine to $50,000 in 2010, driving businesses out of California for these imposed fines. In addition, increasing the penalty when the cause-effect relationship between particulate matter 2.5 and health effects is still unclear is far too premature and unfair to those businesses working towards attainment.

Support measures that give businesses reasonable choices that are fuel neutral.
 

SB 1252 Air pollution, penalties: particulate matter (Florez) (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposed SB 1252 which would impose a fine of up to $25,000 per violation for a discharge of PM10 or PM 2.5 and increases the fine to $50,000 in 2010, driving businesses out of California for these imposed fines. In addition, increasing the penalty when the cause-effect relationship between particulate matter 2.5 and health effects is still unclear is far too premature and unfair to those businesses working towards attainment.

SB 1368 Electricity: Emission of Greenhouse Gases (Perata) (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposed SB 1368 which would prohibit public or private utilities from building or contracting baseload generation unless it meets an emissions standard set by the California Energy Commission. This bill would establish a greenhouse gas emission performance standard, limiting the available power sources to meet California’s energy demands while substantially increasing the price of electricity to consumers and businesses.

Contact Kerri Ginis, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or kginis@fresnochamber.com