Mayor Newsom Urges the California Air Resource Board to Increase Zero-Emission Vehicles

Here's Mayor Newsom letter to Mary Nichols, the Chair of the California Air Resources Board:

Dear Chairwoman Nichols,

I write to urge the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to take decisive action this week to increase the amount of zero-emission vehicles required to be sold in California. I am extremely concerned about a staff recommendation that will be considered this week by CARB that would actually decrease the amount of electric vehicles required to be sold in California in the coming years to only 2,500 vehicles.

Electric vehicles hold tremendous promise to decrease greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles and have proven popular with consumers. Our own experience in San Francisco utilizing electric cars has been very positive. We have used several zero emission vehicles made available through CARB programs, including leasing and then purchasing Toyota RAV4 vehicles. These cars continue in daily use, functioning as normal city fleet vehicles. Most recently, our city utilized State funding to convert three Toyota Prius hybrids into ‘plug-in hybrids.’ Technological advancements are increasing the range of electric cars and also decreasing the cost of these vehicles.

View Mayor Newsom's Letter (PDF)

Mayor Newsom Urges Governor Schwarzenegger To Study Health Consequences Before Proceeding With Moth Spraying

Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom urged Governor Schwarzenegger to study health consequences before proceeding with aerial spraying to eradicate the light brown apple moth in California. In a letter to the Governor, Newsom asked for further review of the planned spraying before the State moves forward and urged the Governor to support proposed state legislation that will help determine the health risks and a safe control plan for eradication of the light brown apple moth. Newsom will introduce legislation at the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday about this matter. Read the letter...

Mayor Newsom Urges Local Restaurants To Remove Bottled Water From Menus

Mayor Newsom was joined today at the Ferry Building by national nonprofit Food and Water Watch and local restaurant leaders who took the opportunity of U.N. World Water Day (March 22) to announce a new initiative to "Take Back the Tap" and urge local restaurants to follow the City’s lead by removing bottled water from menus. In June 2007, Mayor Newsom issued an Executive Directive barring use of City funds to buy bottled water in an effort to protect the environment. City departments are in nearly full-compliance with the bottled water ban. Read more...

The Greening of San Francisco

Watch Mayor Newsom discuss the "Greening of San Francisco"

Mayor Newsom Offers Incentives to Hire Veterans and Ex-Offenders

3/13/08 - In his 2nd Inaugural Address, Mayor Gavin Newsom pledged to offer new incentives for work, including tax breaks for small businesses that hire returning veterans and ex-offenders. Today, Mayor Newsom followed up on that pledge by unveiling new legislation that would provide a payroll tax credit to employers who hire disadvantaged workers by amending the local Enterprise Zone program.

"We ask a lot of local businesses in San Francisco - paid sick leave, our health access plan, our local minimum wage," said Mayor Newsom "It is great to be here today offering something in return, as well as providing new incentives for work to those who need it most."