GSBE Business Update 12/23/2019
Air board tackles polluting trucks
A proposed rule would pave the way for zero-emission trucks. California’s clean air enforcers, CARB, are expected to weigh a controversial new rule tackling truck tailpipe pollution today.
The proposed rule, called the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation, calls on major truck manufacturers to sell zero-emission vehicles in the state.
- Sales requirements for certain vehicles, like zero-emission vans and semis, start at 3 percent in 2024 and climb to 15 percent in 2030.
- Other vehicles bigger than a Ford F-350 — like delivery trucks, work trucks and garbage trucks — start at 7 percent in 2024 and climb to 50 percent by 2030.
The proposal is the first of its kind for trucks, and faces criticism from all sides.
- Environmental groups and a handful of legislators say the rule doesn’t push manufacturers hard enough to put more electric trucks on the road.
- Manufacturers say the rule could force them to supply trucks that fleet owners aren’t ready to buy.
Mail those primary ballot selections
No-party preference voters must do a little work to vote in the presidential primary. Are you a no-party preference voter who casts ballots by mail? Well, Secretary of State Alex Padilla wants to remind you to mail in your ballot selection for the presidential primary by the new year.
- The American Independent, Democratic and Libertarian parties allow California’s 5.4 million no-party preference voters to participate in their March 3 presidential primary elections.
- But to do so, no-party preference voters will have to complete a postcard with a party selection.
New findings against PG&E
A state audit finds that PG&E “consistently and significantly” shifted money away from burying power lines underground, likely delaying and inflating the costs of these types of projects. Meanwhile, jockeying continues over control of PG&E as a group of bondholders is lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom to reject PG&E’s restructuring plans.
Newsom faces a Friday deadline to sign off on that plan, which includes roughly $25.5 billion in settlements with fire victims, insurers and state and local governments. The governor isn’t revealing his hand.
- “We’re trying to solve for California’s best interest,” said Newsom spokesman Nathan Click.
Last week, I met with Newsom’s energy czar, Ana Matosantos, and discussed the administration’s plans with PG&E. I asked bluntly, does the administration’s plan to have the state takeover operations of an IOU, such as PG&E? Ana pointed to Sempra, SDG&E and Edison as IOUs who operate fine despite the fires and that their plan is to ensure that PG&E is able to do the same.