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#DamienTalks #16: EDF’s Tim O’Connor on Reducing Petroleum Use

Maybe you've seen the mailers, or the insane websites, or have heard a rant on talk radio. The petroleum industry is coming for S.B. 350, legislation that would set standards to help the State of California reduce its petroleum use by 50 percent in the coming decades.

By Damien Newton

1:08 PM PDT on September 2, 2015

Maybe you’ve seen the mailers, or the insane websites, or have heard a rant on talk radio. The petroleum industry is coming for S.B. 350, legislation that would set standards to help the State of California reduce its petroleum use by 50 percent in the coming decades.

Truckers, the oil industry, conservatives and even some L.A. based democrat Assemblymen are all fighting S.B. 350.

Today, #DamienTalks with Tim O’Connor, an analyst with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), who explains how reducing dependence on petroleum isn’t just good for the environment, but will be great for the state’s economy. Despite the scare tactics of opponents of the legislation, S.B. 350 is a win for California, for the environment and for pretty much anyone reading these words.

The legislation has been moving quickly, but only has a week left to pass the Assembly before it can head to the Governor’s desk for a final signature. It has already passed the Senate and all its assigned Assembly committees.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

P.S. – The report mentioned in the podcast, “Options for Cap and Trade Auction Revenue Allocation: An economic assessment for California” can be found here.