“California has long been more adventurous than even the federal government in pushing for cleaner cars, and over time this has benefited the nation as a whole because automakers have eventually decided to sell the cars they make for California in other markets.
Once again, the country owes California a vote of thanks.”
- New York Times Editorial, July 8, 2002, “California Leads on Warming” |
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Creating Coalitions and Clean Air
Cleaning up California’s air by reducing mobile source pollution continues to be among the Foundation’s core environmental objectives. Over the past year, we sustained our advocacy and grantmaking in support of alternative-fuel vehicles and became increasingly engaged in the prevention of global warming.
- The Foundation actively supported California Assembly Bill 1493, landmark global warming legislation, authored by State Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-41st District) and signed into law by Governor Gray Davis in July 2002. We joined a coalition of more than 120 environmental and public health groups, elected officials, municipalities, business leaders, scientists and entertainers in lobbying for AB 1493. The new law signifies the first time in the U.S. that government will regulate greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles. California's action opens the door for other states to adopt similar air quality solutions, and thus help spur action to address global warming on the national level.
- The Kirsch Foundation’s targeted grants of $75,000 to organizations involved in the AB 1493 legislative campaign helped to offset heavy industry opposition to the measure. Grants were made to Bluewater Network ($10,000), California League of Conservation Voters ($50,000) and Clean Power Campaign ($15,000), leveraging the Foundation’s unique position as a coalition member and advocate for this pioneering legislation.
- In addition to our AB 1493 efforts, we fought for a variety of other California and federal environmental legislation on topics ranging from renewable energy sources, to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards, to alternative-fuel vehicles. While we were not successful at the national level in advancing our causes, several Foundation-supported California bills on renewable energy and alternative-fuel vehicles have made significant progress and are likely to go into effect beginning in 2003.
In the coming year, the Foundation will continue to act as an activist, funder and coalition-builder in the environmental community, as we play a key role in cleaning up California’s and our nation’s air. We plan to protect our state’s air quality gains, while taking advantage of opportunities to promote new and progressive policy in this arena.
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