California is implementing a suite of innovative transportation policies and there is ample evidence illustrating how drivers and communities across the state will benefit.
One critical piece of research is the First Update to the AB 32 Scoping Plan released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) yesterday. The Board will vote on whether to approve the updated Plan next week. We've blogged here, here, and here about how the Plan recommends smart 2030 targets, positions California as a continuing leader on climate action, provides enhanced economic opportunity, and recommends new efforts to reduce short lived climate pollutants.
One of the most significant elements is the amount of money drivers will save because of the policies that CARB has so carefully planned for and implemented. CARB's own analysis shows that existing policies will reduce fuel costs for drivers by over $400 per year by 2020 (from 2012 levels) and by just over $600 by 2030.
Source: First Update to the Climate Change Scoping Plan
There is a growing body of work that supports and enhances CARB's finding that Californians will see overall benefits.
EDF's contributions to this conversation include:
- California Policy Briefing Memo – Motor Vehicle Fuel Diversification. EDF economists explain why Californians will see fuel prices decline as the LCFS reduces the market power of oil companies and increases the number of cost-competitive alternatives to oil.
- Biodiesel in California: Companies Fueling Positive Change. We profile six biodiesel companies in California with different roles along the value chain – research and development, feedstock growth, waste grease collection, production, blending, and retail and distribution. It clearly demonstrates that AB 32 transportation policies are increasing production of cleaner, more advanced fuels and creating new green jobs.
- California Innovators Series. EDF’s new blog series has included multiple posts on transportation. Profiles of electric bus companies, a biodiesel producer, and waste to energy producers clearly demonstrate that the Golden State is a hotbed of innovative solutions that will grow our low-carbon transportation sector.
- “Green Roads” Map: Businesses Steering California to a Clean Transportation Future. California’s green transportation sector has grown tremendously in response to state fuel policies. The over 300 companies, depicted in this map, provide a clear picture of California's clean growth. The data is corroborated by statements from project partners CALSTART, NRDC, and E2, as well as several companies included on the map.
Here is a quick rundown of some of the other great resources out there:
- California economists show that the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is likely to lower fuel costs and stabilize fuel prices; under likely LCFS scenarios this price volatility could be reduced by about 17%.
- The Natural Resources Defense Council has completed an analysis that shows Californians can expect to spend an average of $300 less on transportation costs every year by 2020, compared to what they would have had to spend without AB 32. These savings stem from more efficient vehicles, more walking, biking and use of public transportation, better planning so car trips are shorter, and a diversified fuel mix.
- Analysis by ICF International shows that the LCFS will result in $1.4 – $4.8 billion in societal benefits including improved air quality and energy security.
- The Union of Concerned Scientists has demonstrated that the U.S. can cut oil use in half in 20 years which would create one million new jobs in the process and reducing climate pollution by 2 billion tons.
- Dr. David Roland-Holst of Berkeley has written about how California's many policies supporting electric vehicles can create over 100,000 new jobs by 2030 and create $16 of in-state economic value for every dollar saved at the pump.
Next week, the case for cleaner fuels gets clearer when EDF and the American Lung Association release a new report detailing the many health benefits that Californians can expect to see from California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard and cap-and-trade programs. Stay tuned!