BILL NUMBER: AJR 35	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 16, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 10, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 30, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Williams

                        MARCH 26, 2012

   Relative to rail transport of coal.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 35, as amended, Williams. Rail transport: coal.
   This measure urges the President of the United States and the
112th Congress to enact legislation to restrict the transshipment for
waterborne export of coal for electricity generation to any nation
that fails to adopt rules and regulations on the emissions of
greenhouse gases or hazardous air emissions that are at least as
restrictive as those adopted by the United States  or, in the
alternative, to secure and approve international agreements to ensure
all nations adopt regulations and technology that result in
emissions reductions equal to those in place in the United States
 . The measure would urge the Governor of California to inform
the Governors of the States of Oregon and Washington of the
significant health risks to the people of the Pacific Coast states if
large coal export terminals and  railcar  coal
transport expansions are licensed and permitted to operate on or near
the coast of the States of Oregon and Washington.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, California law requires electricity providers to procure
not less than 33 percent of retail sales of electricity from
renewable energy resources by December 31, 2020; and
   WHEREAS, California has emerged as a global leader in the
transition from fossil fuel dependence to a clean energy economy; and

   WHEREAS, California law limits long-term investments in baseload
generation by utilities to powerplants that meet strict greenhouse
gas emissions standards. According to the State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission, currently no existing coal
plant has demonstrated that it complies with the greenhouse gas
emissions limit on long-term investments in baseload generation; and
   WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency in
December 2011 issued regulations requiring coal-fired powerplants to
significantly reduce emissions of mercury, arsenic, and other toxic
pollutants within four years; and
   WHEREAS, Hazardous emissions from coal powerplants threaten health
locally and at great distances; and
   WHEREAS, Coal exports from United States ports to Asia have risen
by almost 240 percent from 3.8 million tons in 2009 to over 13
million tons in 2010; and
   WHEREAS, The environmental consequences of massive coal exports to
Asia are severe, including the burning of millions of tons of coal
that releases hazardous air emissions into the atmosphere and
increased mountaintop removal projects; and
   WHEREAS, Burning coal for electricity generation worldwide is the
main cause of greenhouse gas emissions and the planetary climate
crisis; and
   WHEREAS, Coal burning has contributed to significant human health
risks in all age groups through the emissions of ozone, sulfur
dioxide (SO2), particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury,
and carbon dioxide (CO2); now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President of the
United States and the 112th Congress to enact legislation to restrict
the transshipment for waterborne export of coal for electricity
generation to any nation that fails to adopt rules and regulations on
the emissions of greenhouse gases or hazardous air emissions that
are at least as restrictive as those adopted by the United States
 or, in the alternative, to secure and approve international
agreements to ensure all nations adopt regulations and technology
that result in emissions reductions equal to those in place in the
United States  ; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature urges the Governor of California to
inform the Governors of the States of Oregon and Washington of the
significant health risks to the people of the Pacific Coast states if
large coal export terminals and  railcar  coal
transport expansions are licensed and permitted to operate on or near
the coast of the States of Oregon and Washington; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, the President pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, to each Senator and
Representative from California in the Congress of the United States,
and to the author for appropriate distribution.