Well I did it again. I’ve taken another step in making the world safer from global warming.
We proudly present SB 1374………..
Battin proposes to open HOV Lanes to “Carbon Neutral” drivers
SACRAMENTO – Senator Jim Battin (R- La Quinta) announced today legislation that would encourage every owner of a polluting, flashy, fuel sucking car to buy their way into an environmentally conscious “carbon neutral” lifestyle. SB 1374 would allow auto owners who purchase carbon credits that offset the carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicles to participate in the Clean Air – High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) decal program, allowing the driver to use an HOV lane.
This program currently only applies to the first 88,000 vehicles meeting enhanced California and Federal emission standards. Under Battin’s proposed law, carbon neutral vehicles can also participate in the decal program. Battin sees SB 1374 as a perfect opportunity to jump start the state’s efforts to single-handedly stop the fractionally small rise in global temperature.
On February 28, the California State Air Resources Board (CARB) is scheduled to consider under its AB 32 implementation plan how voluntary early actions can start saving the planet. “I can’t think of a better way to become a true champion of the environment and reduce your carbon foot print than by going “carbon neutral” with your car,” stated Battin.
Battin himself decided to go “carbon neutral” immediately after he was scolded by the Contra Costa Times’ article that read, "Lawmakers’ flashy, fuel-sucking cars on road at the expense of taxpayers".
"I was embarassingly caught using excess energy. The only thing I could do was take action,” Battin declared. Battin immediately purchased for $45 a DriveNeutral Certificate which simply states that his CO2 emissions have been offset for one year. The obvious next question is if he has gone “green” and is “carbon neutral” why shouldn’t he and other environmentally conscious drivers have the same rights as low-emission drivers and live the HOV lane good life?
This proposal should complement CARB’s efforts. Through the DriveNeutral “CO2” Calculator or any of the dozens of other “carbon calculators” one can calculate that a 2007 Toyota Prius emits 4,229 pounds of dirty carbon per year making the Prius a worse foe to the environment than Senator Battin’s carbon-free Lincoln Aviator. Through LiveNeutral, or any of the dozens of other carbon credit vendors, it would cost only $15 to eliminate this Prius polluter’s carbon footprint.
Battin added, “The guilt of my excess energy using days are a thing of the past – I feel great about my carbon credit indulgence and think many other Californians will too… when they are driving guilt free in the empty diamond lane.”
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And a big thank you shout out to Shane Goldmacher at the Sac Bee’s Capitol Alert for awarding me with "Press Release of the Week"!
The fight to save the planet continues…….
Have a bright and sunny day,
Senator Carbon Credit
** UPDATE **
I’m stunned, shocked and deeply saddened that the AP (as reported by the San Jose Mercury News) doesn’t believe I am being sincere in my efforts to save the planet by providing an incentive to buy carbon offsets.
Their article – "Calif. senator says car pool lane should be open to everyone" – says I mocked the state’s efforts to prevent global warming – when in fact my bill will help California stop global warming. I am officially offended that my sincere efforts would be so summarily dismissed.
I’ll bet the reporter that wrote it is driving a car that isn’t carbon neutral (like my Aviator).
Also, the article says that I don’t think it will pass. That is absolutely inaccurate as well. I fully expect the same logic that was behind allowing Prius drivers to drive in the HOV lane (saving the earth), will apply to my bill and my bill will sail through the legislature with massive bipartisan support.
After all, my Lincoln Aviator has a zero carbon footprint (thanks to my nifty $45 carbon credit) and a Prius belches out over four thousand pounds of carbon each year.
This entry was posted
on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
I love it and I assume Al Gore will love it too since he sees no problem with himself buying carbon credits to offset his huge carbon footprint. Wow! Just think, if this passes, I’ll be just like Al Gore and his crowd and be able to buy carbon credits to offset the carbon dioxide emissions of my 01 Silverado pickup truck and be able to drive the HOV lanes! Won’t his crowd to shocked that this is coming from a conservative Republican and not from one of his friends.
On a side note, isn’t it amazing how the press mentions very little regarding President Bush’s Texas spread and what he’s done to make such a small footprint??
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Al Gore is my inspiration on this and many things.