The following excerpt appeared in the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on August 27, 2017. To read the full article, click here.
Legislators believe they found a way to close gap in Glendora-to-Montclair Gold Line extension – Pasadena Star-News/San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
FILE PHOTO. The new Kinkisharyo, right, Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension, passing through all six new station stops in Arcadia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa. Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News-SCNG
By Steve Scauzillo
August 27, 2017
[Excerpt]:
Local legislators have asked the state for $280 million to complete funding for the $1.48 billion extension of the Gold Line light rail from Glendora to Montclair, set to begin work in October.
The money would come from an unusual source not normally used to build mass transit projects: the Cap and Trade Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Cap and Trade funds are generated when companies such as oil refineries and manufacturers exceed their allotted levels of greenhouse gas emissions and must buy permits. These permits are auctioned by the state. State officials estimate the pot will grow to $1.4 billion for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
State Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, said building more rail lines will take cars off the roads, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. GHGs contribute to global climate change, which results in rising temperatures, extreme weather and rising sea levels.
“There is a statewide effort to increase the transit portion of the Cap and Trade dollars. I think we are in a good position,” Portantino said during an interview Friday.
Portantino — along with state Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino and Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez, D-Pomona — wrote a letter to state Sen. Bob Wieckowski, chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, as well as Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles and Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles.
To read the full article, click here.
Gee, I thought that went without saying. You mean that you hadn’t considered or weren’t using can-and-trade funds for transit projects that would reduce automobile use and its attendant pollution? I thought that the reduction of traffic loads on the freeways and surface streets was the raison d’ etre for the commuter rail and trolley infrastructure projects to begin with and cap-and-trade funds would be used to finance those projects. Well, at least we will be able to finish the trolley to Montclair. Next stop, Cucamonga, as Jack Benny would say.