Calif. Gov. signs clean transportation bill

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 8, a measure that will continue the state's clean vehicle and fuel incentives through 2023.

Assembly Bill 8, authored by Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) and Assemblymember, Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) along with Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), passed on a bipartisan vote and will provide more than $2 billion in funding to help fleets and consumers purchase clean and low carbon cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment. This bill represents the largest financial commitment by a state to cleaning up its transportation sector.

“The Governor's signature on AB 8 means California can reduce its emissions, while continuing to partner with the business community to help them meet the State's clean air goals," said Assemblymember Perea. "Supporting emerging advanced transportation technology is a win for California."

The programs that would be extended include the AB 118 clean fuel and vehicle programs and the Carl Moyer and AB 923 local air district funds for diesel emission reduction. The bills also dedicate funding, in lieu of regulatory action, to construct the fueling infrastructure necessary to support the impending introduction of zero emission hydrogen fuel-cell cars.

More than 100 business, civic, and environmental organizations supported AB 8. Among the other supporters were the California Trucking Association, the Environmental Defense Fund and the California Farm Bureau.