Senate Committee Approves Lieu Bill to Force State Government to Use Alternative Fuels

Assemblymember describes current practice as more evidence of Governor’s “Environmental Hypocrisy”

Sacramento, CA – The State Senate Committee on Government Operations today approved AB 236 by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), which requires California’s state vehicle fleet to actually use alternative fuels, and reduces California’s petroleum dependence.  The vote was 5-4, on party lines.

Commenting on the Senate committee’s action, Lieu noted that news stories over the weekend reported that since Governor Schwarzenegger took office the state has spent over $17 million purchasing more than 1,100 “flex-fuel” vehicles that are able to run on alternative fuels or gasoline.  The Torrance lawmaker pointed out that those vehicles have yet to use one drop of alternative fuel.  “Worse, when these vehicles run on gasoline, they actually create more greenhouse gases than the vehicles they replaced,” Lieu declared.

“This is just another example of the Governor’s environmental hypocrisy,” Lieu said.  “He travels all over the world as the champion of the fight against Global Warming, but his own Administration does exactly the opposite.”

AB 236 requires the state’s alternative fuel vehicles to actually use alternative fuels unless it would be impossible to do so.  AB 236 also requires California to develop a roadmap to reduce fuel consumption in the state fleet, with the goal of a 20% reduction by 2020.  It also improves accountability by requiring more documentation and reporting on vehicle purchasing decisions.

“Fighting Global Warming involves more than just appearing on the cover of magazines,” Lieu added.  “The Governor’s actions need to match his words.  He should actively support and sign AB 236 and start the process of cleaning up this hypocrisy.”

Under federal law, 75% of non-law enforcement state fleet purchases must be capable of running on alternative fuels.  However, nearly all the state vehicles purchased or leased in California now simply run on gasoline, which defeats the purpose of purchasing the vehicles.  AB 236 stops the State of California from cheating on the Federal mandate.  AB 236 is joint-authored by Assemblymembers Mark DeSaulnier and Jared Huffman.