Climate Impact Fee

A Way to Fight Climate Change and Fund Public Transportation

An incredible 50% of the Bay Area's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation (and nearly 40% statewide!).

So how are we supposed to cut our emissions 80% by 2050 if all we get are funding cuts for the very thing that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from transportation: public transit? We can't!

That's why TransForm is working on legislation that would let regional agencies ask voters to approve a climate impact fee on gasoline or vehicles that would improve public transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2009, we're supporting SB 205, which gives voters the option of raising vehicle license fees to fund local transportation improvements. 

Take action to support SB 205 now!

Our Pass Efforts to Pass a Climate Impact Fee

In the 2008 legislative season, we sponsored AB 2744 and actively supported AB 2558. AB 2744 (Huffman) would have given Bay Area voters the chance to approve a greenhouse gas mitigation fee of up to 10 cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel, with the revenues funding a "Transportation Fund for Climate Protection". AB 2744 was defeated by a narrow margin in the Assembly Transportation Committee. AB 2558 (Feuer, Huffman) would have give any region in California a similar opportunity.

While both bills had tremendous support from environmental and transportation advocates, the opposition from special interests (led by oil and gas companies that are among the most profitable the world) was intense. The Western States Petroleum Association, The California Chamber of Commerce, and AAA, came out in full force to oppose these bills.