Solid Waste

AB 909 (Gray) – Support
As Introduced March 22, 2013

AB 909, by Assembly Member Adam Gray, would expand law enforcement’s ability to focus on the metal theft epidemic and ensure that existing laws aimed at reducing metal theft are enforced. The proposed program would be voluntary and would provide grants to regional task forces to provide local law enforcement and district attorneys with the tools and funding necessary to combat metal theft. CSAC supports this bill because metal theft is a serious concern, effecting critical public infrastructure and public safety. This bill would help provide resources to law enforcement to combat metal theft. AB 909 will be heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 9, 2013. 

Air Quality

AB 8 (Perea) – Support
As Introduced December 3, 2012

AB 8, by Assembly Member Henry Perea, would extend until January 1, 2024 fees on vehicle registrations, boat registrations, and tire sales in order to fund the AB 118, Carl Moyer, and AB 923 programs that support the production, distribution, and sale of alternative fuels and vehicle technologies, as well as air emissions reduction efforts. Counties have benefited from AB 118 funding, including Los Angeles County that received a $4.5 million grant to develop solid waste conversion technologies. This bill will be heard in the Assembly Transportation Committee on April 8, 2013. 

Climate Change

AB 416 (Gordon) – Support
As Amended March 21, 2013

AB 416, by Assembly Member Richard Gordon, passed out of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee last week and will be heard in the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. As you may recall, this bill would establish a competitive grant program within the Strategic Growth Council and the California Air Resources Board for purposes of providing grants to public agencies, including cities, counties, special districts, metropolitan planning organizations, regional climate authorities, special districts, joint powers authorities, air pollution control and air quality management districts, regional collaboratives, or nonprofit organizations working in coordination with a local government, for projects that develop and implement greenhouse gas emission reductions at the local level. Consideration would be given to projects that do the following:

• Create local job training and job creation benefits.
• Decrease air or water pollution.
• Reduce the consumption of natural resources or energy.
• Provide opportunities to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions in ways that increase localized energy resources.
• Increase the reliability of local water supplies.
• Increase solid waste diversion from landfills.
• Achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions in ways that reduce vehicle miles traveled.
• Prevent conversion of agricultural, forest, and open space lands to uses that result in higher greenhouse gas emissions.

CSAC believes that local governments are instrumental in helping the State meet their climate and energy goals. As the closest level of government to Californians, local governments are able to make a significant impact by taking action in our communities and promoting public awareness; however, we need the funding to accomplish these goals. This bill would provide funding on the local level to proven GHG reducing projects as well as energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects that would also create jobs. 

CSAC is requesting for county support of this bill. Please send your letters of support to the Assembly Local Government Committee.