California Lawmakers Press for Data on Alt Fuel Use

19 August 2007

Mercury News. California lawmakers will try again to pass legislation forcing state officials to gather and publish data on the use of alternative vs. conventional fossil fuels in alternative fuel vehicles in the state fleet.

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill two years ago, saying it was unnecessary.

Schwarzenegger officials note that two reports—one required by federal law and another by state law—already document how much alternative fuel is being used by the fleet. Neither report, however, says whether gas is used, or in what quantities, which is what Ruskin’s bill required.

Now, on the heels of a Mercury News investigation that revealed the state’s newest "green" vehicles had not burned a single drop of alternative fuel during their two years in operation, lawmakers are again pressing for accountability.