First Name | Dr. Peter |
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Last Name | Greer |
Email Address | prg@icm.com |
Affiliation | |
Subject | Zero Emission Vehicle Regulation |
Comment | March 21, 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, As a former educator of forty years, and as a father of two children and grandfather of five – three girls and two boys – I worry about the environment we are leaving our children, with polluted air, vanishing resources, and the worrisome issue of climate change. Children are extremely observant and shrewd. They look to our example. I fear we have failed them. As a conservative Republican who served in the Reagan Administration, I am outraged by the effects of our consumption of foreign oil on our national security and foreign policy. Further, I am frustrated that for all of its ambition and talent, my country has not had the foresight, courage, or political leadership to genuinely commit to the most viable alternatives to the petroleum we consume. The best way to get people to use less oil is to give them the opportunity to use less or none. Therefore, I am mystified as to why California Air Resources Board (CARB) would sacrifice 90 percent of the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) committed by automakers in 2003 and settle for barely more than a handful a year in their new proposal. Others have dramatically called for an “Apollo” project to create alternatives. After having the opportunity to drive an electric vehicle, I now realize an “Apollo” project is not necessary. What is desperately needed is commitment to what your state began in the 1990s. I all but beg you to direct CARB to put electric vehicles back on the road again by adopting the changes to the ZEV Program proposed by Plug-In America. California once passionately led the country in this “space.” I implore you to renew that commitment by requiring automakers to build all of the ZEVs they have promised – and more. Ten other states now adopt CARB’s decisions. Only if California leads will those of us in other areas of the country, and my children and grandchildren, have the opportunity to enjoy a foreign policy less driven by our oil consumption, enjoy a stronger national security, and enjoy a more pristine and healthy environment. Aristotle had it right – he maintained that courage means having the right amount of fear for the situation faced and know what to fear and what not to fear. How wonderful it would be if CARB showed by its decision that it has the right amount of fear about what is happening and will continue to happen to our country because of our dependence on oil, and more importantly, that CARB has the courage to intervene. Respectfully, Dr. Peter R. Greer 1320 21st St. NW #101 Washington, D.C. 20036 Cc: Mary Nichols, Ph.D. California Air Resources Board |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-03-21 19:51:21 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.