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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California sped past a major mile-marker this week – selling more than 100,000 plug-in cars since the market started in 2010, according to the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative.
Electric vehicle sales have risen steadily over the last several years – and this new milestone drives California closer to achieving Gov. Brown’s goal of 1.5 million electric cars on the road by 2025.
“California’s plug-in electric vehicle market is ramping up, and we expect to see significant growth over the next ten years as customers realize how economical and convenient they are,” said California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative Executive Director Christine Kehoe.
Californians buy approximately 40 percent of all the PEVs sold in the U.S. According to data collected by the California Air Resources Board, new sales figures released this week from www.hybridcars.com and Baum & Associates, a Michigan-based market research firm, Californians bought 102,440 PEVs from December 2010 through August 2014.
“Drivers want high quality, high performing vehicles that use less or even no gasoline at all.” Said General Motors’ Robert Babik, director, vehicle emissions, issues, environment, energy, and safety policy. “We're proud that Chevrolet and Cadillac's line-up of plug in vehicles is helping to meet the growing demand head on.”
“California was the site of the world's first Nissan LEAF delivery and has been the leading state for our 60,000 U.S. LEAF sales,” said Brendan Jones, director, Electric Vehicle Sales and Infrastructure Strategy for Nissan. “We thank the state of California for actively supporting the adoption of electric cars and for helping us make LEAF the best-selling EV on the market today.”
“With the Fusion Energi, C-MAX Energi and Focus Electric, Californians have several choices for plug-in vehicles,” said Ford Motor Co.’s Director of Sustainable Business Strategies Mike Tinskey. “Ford customers drive a half-million miles a day on electricity and we are working hard not only to expand the number of all-electric miles, but also find innovative ways to maximize the number that are carbon-free.”
In addition to automakers rolling out dozens of plug-in electric vehicle models for consumers over the next couple of years, utilities are working to provide a clean, reliable and affordable fuel source for plug-in car owners. And, drivers have increasing options to refuel at home overnight or charge at workplaces across the state.
“Electric vehicles are an integral part of California’s cleaner future. With more than 10,000 electric vehicles on the road in the San Diego Gas & Electric service territory today, it is evident that our customers are embracing the benefits of clean electric transportation,” said James P. Avery, SDG&E senior vice president of power supply. “SDG&E is committed to providing our customers with the clean energy, attractive electric rates and resources needed to support their electric vehicle needs.”
Driving on electricity is the equivalent of driving for $1 per gallon of gasoline.
“We’re pleased to be providing clean, affordable fuel for a growing number of drivers across the country,” said Richard Lowenthal, founder and chief technical officer of ChargePoint. “Gasoline is 4 dollars a gallon in California and rising. Consumers want alternatives and we're here to help make the best alternative – electricity – more accessible, and to make electric vehicles more appealing.” ChargePoint’s electricity fueling network is the world’s largest and is growing to meet demand at the rate of 500 new charging ports each month.
For decades, California’s leadership on automotive emissions standards has improved air quality despite population increases and economic growth – and plug-in cars are a key part of that effort.
“This milestone shows that industry and government can work together for the good of the environment and the good of the consumer,” said California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “Automakers are proving on a daily basis that they can rise to the challenge to meet California’s clean vehicle standards, advance the technology, and provide a wide range of affordable cars that are good to look at, fun to drive, and, of course, have zero emissions.”
To learn more about PEVs and state and national monthly sales, visit the PEV Collaborative Web site at www.PEVCollaborative.org .
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The culinary faculty and staff at Yuba College-Clear Lake Campus is hosting a food service industry open house on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
The open house will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Aromas restaurant, located on the campus at 15880 Dam Road Extension, Clearlake.
Come and check out the college's state-of-the-art kitchen and sample some tasty bites prepared by culinary students.
The culinary program is seeking feedback to help plan for the future. In particular, department members want to hear how they can better prepare students for employment in local businesses.
The program is seeking to partner with the local restaurant community to improve the food service experience for Lake County residents and the tourists who visit the county.
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SACRAMENTO – State Controller John Chiang on Tuesday released his monthly report covering California's cash balance, receipts and disbursements in August 2014.
Total revenues for the second month of fiscal year 2014-15 were $6.7 billion, coming in below estimates in the Budget Act by $370.1 million, or 5.3 percent.
Most of this shortfall reflected a one-time transfer of $343.3 million in sales tax revenues from the state’s general fund to local governments.
"If not for a one-time transfer of sales tax revenues to local governments, August revenues closely tracked budget projections," said Chiang. "As Californians enjoy this period of economic stability, we can actively work to sustain it by continuing to pay down debt accumulated during the Great Recession, undo the accounting gimmicks sprinkled throughout past budgets, and get serious about addressing the State’s unfunded retiree health care liability."
Income tax collections for the month of August came in $43.4 million, or 1.1 percent, above estimates.
Corporate taxes were originally expected to be negative for the month (-$90.7 million), as refunds were projected to outpace tax collections.
Net revenues of $126.1 million in corporate tax were collected. That led to a large variance of 239.1 percent between actuals and estimates for the month in this category of revenue.
As of Aug. 31, the general fund accumulated outstanding loans of $8.5 billion from internal sources.
The state ended the month with unused borrowable resources of $18.3 billion after making $22.7 billion in disbursements.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging producers who have suffered eligible disaster-related losses to act to secure assistance by Sept. 30, 2014, as congressionally mandated payment reductions will take place for producers who have not acted before that date. Livestock producers that have experienced grazing losses since October 2011 and may be eligible for benefits but have not yet contacted their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office should do so as soon as possible.
The Budget Control Act passed by Congress in 2011 requires USDA to implement reductions of 7.3 percent to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2014.
However, producers seeking LFP support who have scheduled appointments with their local FSA office before Oct. 1, even if the appointment occurs after Oct.1, will not see reductions in the amount of disaster relief they receive.
USDA is encouraging producers to register, request an appointment or begin a Livestock Forage Disaster Program application with their county FSA office before Oct. 1, 2014, to lock in the current zero percent sequestration rate.
As an additional aid to qualified producers applying for LFP, the Farm Service’s Agency has developed an online registration that enables farmers and ranchers to put their names on an electronic list before the deadline to avoid reductions in their disaster assistance. This is an alternative to visiting or contacting the county office.
To place a name on the Livestock Forage Disaster Program list online, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster-register .
Producers who already contacted the county office and have an appointment scheduled need do nothing more.
“In just four months since disaster assistance enrollments began, we’ve processed 240,000 applications to help farmers and ranchers who suffered losses,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Eligible producers who have not yet contacted their local FSA office should stop by or call their local FSA office, or sign up online before Oct. 1 when congressionally mandated payment reductions take effect. This will ensure they receive as much financial assistance as possible.”
The Livestock Indemnity Program, the Tree Assistance Program and the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program Frost Freeze payments will also be cut by 7.3 percent on Oct. 1, 2014.
Unlike the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, applications for these programs must be fully completed by Sept. 30. FSA offices will prioritize these applications, but as the full application process can take several days or more to complete, producers are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program compensates eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire between Oct. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2014.
Eligible livestock includes alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland. Producers forced to liquidate their livestock may also be eligible for program benefits.
Additionally, the 2014 Farm Bill eliminated the risk management purchase requirement. Livestock producers are no longer required to purchase coverage under the federal crop insurance program or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program to be eligible for Livestock Forage Disaster Program assistance.
To learn more about USDA disaster relief program, producers can review the 2014 Farm Bill fact sheet at www.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill , the LFP program fact sheet, http://go.usa.gov/5JTk , or contact their local FSA office.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program was made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer.
Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America.
For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill .