ADVOCACY MATERIALS

Proposition 10: California Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuel Act
Conversion Technology Position Paper
Clean Tech Tour Flier
Solar Coalition Response to L.A. City Council Motion on Solar Hearings
California Air Resources Board Draft AB32 Scoping Plan

POLICY CONTACT

Public Policy Manager
Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558

Energy & Environmental Sustainability

California can achieve a smart balance of environmental protection and economic growth. The L.A. Area Chamber helps members understand the impact of new environmental rules and regulations while working with lawmakers to ensure environmental sustainability through clean technology and the creation of green jobs.

CURRENT ISSUES

• AB 32 and SB 375 Implementation
• Clean Technology Development
• Energy Infrastructure
• 2012 AQMD Air Quality Management Plan

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Ensured an Effective Clean Air Action Plan Update	The Chamber advocated for more time and clarification from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to ensure that the Clean Air Action Plan update accomplishes the dual goals of cleaning the environment and strengthening the goods movement sector in Southern California. After addressing Chamber concerns, Port commissioners voted unanimously to approve the update. This update is expected to lead to a 72 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter, 22 percent nitrogen oxide reduction and a 93 percent decrease in sulfur oxides emitted by 2014.
Kept Utility Rates Reasonable	Successfully moderated a high Environmental Condition Assessment Form (CAF) increase for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power's (DWP) power rates in 2010. Since that time, have actively engaged with the Department and the new General Manager on ways to keep utility rates reasonable while updating infrastructure and increasing the renewable portfolio. Successfully lobbied the City Council and the State Water Board to extend the Once Though Cooling elimination deadline for DWP, which would have resulted in a 6 percent rate increase.
Incorporated Business Voice into AQMD Energy Policy	Pushed for the creation of a public vetting and hearing process for the draft AQMD Energy Policy. Throughout the summer, the Chamber has participated in and hosted public meetings and provided substantive comments, which have been incorporated into the updated drafts. The Chamber will continue to advocate for well-crafted policies that improve air quality while balancing economic and business realities.
Maintained Jobs in the Refining Sector	Lobbied the AQMD to approve modifications to their RECLAIM program, which will see local refineries shave 5.7 tons per day of sulfur oxides (SOx) by 2019. The Chamber supported the petroleum industry's commitment to reductions and urged AQMD to provide cost analyses of future rules and seek a balance between economic viability and public health. Refineries in Southern California provide more than 4,800 direct employee jobs and contracts in addition to using hundreds of small to medium size business for operational support.