TASHA BOERNER HOVATH: I WILL ADDRESS WILDFIRES AND SEA LEVEL RISE
Q: From wildfires to sea level rise, the climate emergency is increasingly affecting California. What immediate steps should California lawmakers be taking to address it?
A: One of my top priorities is addressing catastrophic wildfires and sea level rise. I chair the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy, and have already held informational hearings to highlight the tragic impact climate change will have on our state. I also successfully championed Assembly Bill 66, which funds research into early warning systems to detect coastal erosion and imminent sea cliff collapse, in the hope that we can save lives and prevent disasters like we experienced in my district. I have also worked to increase investments in our state's ability to fight wildfires, including money for brush management, firefighter training and equipment, firefighting aircraft and early fire detection systems. There is always more to do, though, especially hardening our energy transmission systems to prevent power lines from starting fires in the first place.
According to the best science available, the wildfires and coastal erosion we are now experiencing are only a preview of what catastrophic climate change could look like in 50 or 100 years. We need to wean ourselves off fossil fuels with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, tidal and hydropower. My current bill, Assembly Bill 2204, will help California move towards our clean energy goals thoughtfully and collaboratively, ensuring not only that we have enough projects in the pipeline to meet California's sustainable energy needs, but that we also provide opportunities for the skilled workforce from the fossil fuel industry to be part of the millions of new clean energy jobs we will create.
Q: What would you do to address the surging gas prices in California?
A: While real people are being hurt by surging gas prices, oil companies are laughing all the way to the bank. Oil production is being manipulated to lag behind increased demand, and big oil companies are using the war in Ukraine as an excuse to artificially jack up the price at the pump and rip off American consumers.
Of course, knowing these gas hikes are bogus is of little comfort for drivers paying the all too real prices at the pump. That's why, in the short term, we should be looking at ways to ease the burden on the consumer, including direct rebates to car owners. We should also step up pressure on oil companies to act responsibly and stop gouging drivers.
In the long term, though, California needs to stay focused on building our renewable energy infrastructure and moving towards a clean energy economy. When we make our own energy, we will no longer be dependent on foreign countries or energy sources that fuel climate change. That's why I've authored bills like Assembly Bill 2204 to keep us on track to meet Senate Bill 100 and other clean energy goals. I'm also working on legislation like AB 1738 to help expand our electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and AB 1873, a tax credit that will help fund that expansion.
Q: How do you strike a balance between reducing the state's dependency on fossil fuels and addressing energy affordability issues, including the high cost of gasoline?
A: I believe that's a false choice. As California reduces its dependence on fossil fuels by building renewable energy infrastructure, consumers will pay less for gasoline, not more. Californians are about 12 percent of the U.S. population and we use about 9 percent of the total petroleum consumed in the U.S. annually. As we use more renewable energy sources for transportation and industry, there is less demand for fossil fuels like petroleum. Basic economics and common sense tell us that as demand falls, prices should fall as well. Investing in public transportation options that get people out of their cars will help everyone, as will supporting more energy-efficient modes of transportation like e-bikes. That's why I authored Assembly Bill 117 and fought successfully for the allocation of $10 million towards a means-based voucher program for everyday Californians to purchase an e-bike.
I wrote AB 1738, which will make electric vehicle charging more accessible, particularly for people living in multifamily buildings like apartments, so more Californians can avoid filling up at the pump altogether. I've also worked, through legislation like AB 1854, to encourage more businesses to allow work from home.
We have more to do to unshackle workers from the pump and reduce the costs (both environmental and financial) of commuting, but I am committed to making the investments we need to get the job done right.
Q: How would you bring down the high cost of housing, both for homeowners and renters?
A: We need to build more housing of all kinds that is compatible with the character of our existing communities, and that includes apartments, single-family homes, shelter beds, long-term supportive housing and other multifamily housing. I authored Assembly Bill 803, a new law already in use to facilitate the development of smaller, affordable-by-design, singlefamily homes on mid-range density multifamily lots. The law was designed to help boost the supply of starter homes for first-time homebuyers while respecting the unique character of the surrounding neighborhoods. We also need measures discouraging displacement of lower income communities and the overuse of homeowner associations — another financial barrier to homeownership. I remain committed to supporting creative solutions and significant investments that give communities throughout the state of California a variety of options to tackle this housing crisis and help to make keeping a roof over our heads more affordable.