Governor gets mixed report card on environment
Activist groups criticize Gov. Schwarzenegger for vetoing bills on air pollution and fire safety, but he is praised for approving a measure to require future regulation of toxics.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to be known as the greenest governor in America. But his eco-record this year was at best "mixed," according to from the Natural Resources Defense Council and other major environmental groups.
Not only did he terminate the most significant air pollution bill to reach his desk -- a measure to assess ship container fees that would be used to alleviate port traffic emissions -- but he vetoed other green bills strongly promoted by environmental groups:
* Fire safety -- The governor vetoed AB 2447, sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), which would have required cities and counties to certify that new subdivisions have adequate fire protection before approving projects. It would also have required new homes to have fire safety features such as defensible space, emergency water systems and at least two escape routes.
Sharks: An article in Tuesday's California section about "virgin birth" in sharks described the fish as an ancient species. Sharks are a group of species with ancient origins.
In its report card, the Planning and Conservation League called the bill "the most meaningful measure on the governor's desk related to wildfire danger." But Schwarzenegger contended that it would be too "costly and time consuming" for the state to verify whether fire standards were being met.
* Green building -- The governor vetoed AB 2939, sponsored by Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), which would have authorized cities and counties to adopt green building standards that exceed those adopted by the state. Schwarzenegger said localities already could adopt stricter standards and the bill was "unnecessary and overly far-reaching."
Environmentalists also criticized the governor for signing a bill that gives exclusive authority over green building rules to the Building Standards Commission, instead of sharing authority, as is the current practice, with bodies such as the California Energy Commission and Air Resources Board that have an environmental portfolio. "The commission is a body where industry has more influence," said Matt Petersen, executive director of Global Green, an environmental group that served on the building commission's technical advisory board.
* Toxic chemicals -- The governor vetoed SB 775, sponsored by Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) to increase screening and tracking of childhood lead poisoning. The bill would also have required that information about lead, which can cause retardation, be given to pregnant women.
