 |
September 29, 2004
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a number of bills
in late September that will be beneficial to hybrid-electric car
owners and certain renewable energy installations.
 |
The Toyota Prius may soon be a more common sight in California's HOV lanes, thanks to a new law.
Credit: Toyota |
California owners of new hybrid electric cars and recent-model
low-emission vehicles will benefit from AB 2628, which allows those
vehicles to use the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes normally
reserved for carpools. The bill opens those lanes to low-emissions
vehicles produced during the 2004 model year or earlier, as well as
new low-emission hybrid-electric vehicles that achieve at least
45 miles per gallon. Meant as an incentive for people to buy hybrid
vehicles, the bill also limits the total number of HOV stickers for
these vehicles to 75,000 and sets procedures to avoid causing the
HOV lanes to become congested. The governor signed the bill on
September 23rd, but the measure will also require approval from the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Several new laws will also help the development of renewable energy
resources in the state. AB 1684 expands the state's self-generation
incentive program to include projects fueled with waste gas, while
SB 1565 requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to develop a strategic plan including renewable
energy. The governor signed both bills on September 22nd. Governor Schwarzenegger also signed two solar energy bills on
September 25th: AB 2473, strengthening
an existing law that prohibits local governments from placing
restrictions on solar energy systems, and AB 594, which
requires Pacific Gas and Electric Company to establish a net metering
agreement with the City and County of San Francisco for up to
5 megawatts of solar power. The city currently owns a 688-kilowatt
solar power system at the Moscone Convention Center, and plans to
install a 600-kilowatt system at a wastewater treatment plant.
More News
|
