There are many important public policy issues facing California's state and local governments, in addition to budget woes. As the oil spill crisis in the Gulf moves off the front page, basic infrastructure issues continue to impact public debate.
Highways
? Caltrans has published its draft environmental document for the widening of the I-5 corridor through north county San Diego, intended to reduce traffic congestion and encourage alternative transportation. There is debate whether Caltrans should add two high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to each side of the existing freeway, add the new HOV lanes plus another general purpose lane to each side, make the lanes flexible use, or do nothing. The business community is also concerned with the movement of goods from the San Diego port, as well as manufacturing plants on both sides of the border.
Water supply
? The drought persists, and water for agriculture versus water for landscaping still prompts spirited debate. In the midst of these widespread water shortages, the City of Carlsbad and eight other water agencies entered into 30-year contracts to purchase output from the Carlsbad desalination project, and now are being asked to share their liquid gold with the rest of the San Diego region. The San Diego County Water Authority is in negotiations to acquire all of the water from the project.
Clean energy
? As California electricity providers struggle to meet the latest renewable portfolio standards prompted by new state legislation promoting clean wind and utility-scale solar, communities press on with providing potential funding mechanisms to support rooftop solar installation. Some have enacted property assessed clean energy programs (PACE), which allow contractors to finance installation of alternative energy, such as wind and solar, by adding the capital cost of energy efficiency upgrades onto the homeowner or business's real property taxes. Lenders want to know where that puts their first mortgage lien.
Ocean health advocates press for reduced seawater cooling at older electric power plants located up and down the California coast, and the California Energy Commission is looking at repowering projects that meet this standard. To make up the difference, a solid foundation of natural gas-fueled, rapid-start power plants is necessary to support and backstop the increased use of clean, but intermittent, solar and wind energy.
The future of transportation
? High-speed rail, commuter trains and buses and other public transportation still have not caught on with the public to help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and the gasoline-powered, single-occupant automobile. Now, America is starting to transition from burning hydrocarbons like gasoline and diesel fuel (both made from oil from deep offshore wells or supplied increasingly by nondemocratic foreign regimes) to using electricity or some other form of clean fuel for our transportation needs. The race to build efficient electric or hybrid vehicles, and the infrastructure to recharge them, will be a national effort for years to come. Whether it is joined to a 2,000 kilowatt solar array on your home (financed by local government PACE bonds), or the new 21-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant in Blythe, CA, smart electric meters now being installed throughout California will be a key component in sorting out when electric car batteries are charged, buildings are cooled, and scarce resources are put to optimal use.
Many of the initiatives for revamping aging infrastructure and solving climate change concerns began in California, both politically and from new business entrepreneurs. The Carlsbad Chamber's Government Affairs Committee continues to be bullish on California's innovative spirit to bring meaningful solutions to emerging energy issues.
Highways
? Caltrans has published its draft environmental document for the widening of the I-5 corridor through north county San Diego, intended to reduce traffic congestion and encourage alternative transportation. There is debate whether Caltrans should add two high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to each side of the existing freeway, add the new HOV lanes plus another general purpose lane to each side, make the lanes flexible use, or do nothing. The business community is also concerned with the movement of goods from the San Diego port, as well as manufacturing plants on both sides of the border.
Water supply
? The drought persists, and water for agriculture versus water for landscaping still prompts spirited debate. In the midst of these widespread water shortages, the City of Carlsbad and eight other water agencies entered into 30-year contracts to purchase output from the Carlsbad desalination project, and now are being asked to share their liquid gold with the rest of the San Diego region. The San Diego County Water Authority is in negotiations to acquire all of the water from the project.
Clean energy
? As California electricity providers struggle to meet the latest renewable portfolio standards prompted by new state legislation promoting clean wind and utility-scale solar, communities press on with providing potential funding mechanisms to support rooftop solar installation. Some have enacted property assessed clean energy programs (PACE), which allow contractors to finance installation of alternative energy, such as wind and solar, by adding the capital cost of energy efficiency upgrades onto the homeowner or business's real property taxes. Lenders want to know where that puts their first mortgage lien.
Ocean health advocates press for reduced seawater cooling at older electric power plants located up and down the California coast, and the California Energy Commission is looking at repowering projects that meet this standard. To make up the difference, a solid foundation of natural gas-fueled, rapid-start power plants is necessary to support and backstop the increased use of clean, but intermittent, solar and wind energy.
The future of transportation
? High-speed rail, commuter trains and buses and other public transportation still have not caught on with the public to help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and the gasoline-powered, single-occupant automobile. Now, America is starting to transition from burning hydrocarbons like gasoline and diesel fuel (both made from oil from deep offshore wells or supplied increasingly by nondemocratic foreign regimes) to using electricity or some other form of clean fuel for our transportation needs. The race to build efficient electric or hybrid vehicles, and the infrastructure to recharge them, will be a national effort for years to come. Whether it is joined to a 2,000 kilowatt solar array on your home (financed by local government PACE bonds), or the new 21-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant in Blythe, CA, smart electric meters now being installed throughout California will be a key component in sorting out when electric car batteries are charged, buildings are cooled, and scarce resources are put to optimal use.
Many of the initiatives for revamping aging infrastructure and solving climate change concerns began in California, both politically and from new business entrepreneurs. The Carlsbad Chamber's Government Affairs Committee continues to be bullish on California's innovative spirit to bring meaningful solutions to emerging energy issues.