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To: Allen Bucholski who wrote (5201)	9/7/2000 10:04:04 PM
From: Don Devlin	Respond to of 8393

Subject: Yahoo - DWP General Manager S. David Freeman Urges the California Air Resources Board at Hearing to Stay the Course on Zero Emission Vehicles Thursday September 7, 4:08 pm Eastern Time Press Release DWP General Manager S. David Freeman Urges the California Air Resources Board at Hearing to Stay the Course on Zero Emission Vehicles SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 2000--At today's California Air Resources Board hearing, S. David Freeman, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), urged the Board not to water down or retreat from the goals and standards that have moved electric vehicles forward and made air cleaner. ``The Zero Emission Vehicle program has revolutionized the car market by encouraging automakers and others to invest in research and development of zero-emission technologies. It has jump-started the future of automotive transportation. The electric and hybrid cars on the road today owe their existence to the California Air Resources Board program,'' said Freeman. ``If the clean air requirements are watered down, does anyone believe progress will continue at the same pace? The auto industry has always been able to do a lot more than it claimed possible.'' Freeman testified that one of the biggest problems with Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) is availability. LADWP would add more to its nearly 100 strong EV fleet and consumers would be more receptive if additional cars were available. Freeman stated that ZEVs meet the driving needs of many Californians, and consumer demand exists. The ZEV cars once offered in auto showrooms have sold out and there are waiting lists for new shipments. This situation creates a problem for the LADWP because it is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency to procure 70 percent of its light duty vehicles this year as EVs. The requirement increases to 90 percent in 2001. A recent poll by the California League of Conservation voters revealed that 68 percent of Californians support the ZEV program's goal of putting clean advanced technology vehicles on the road. ``Electric vehicles are essential to Los Angeles and California because of the severity of the air quality problem. Over two thirds of urban smog comes from cars and trucks,'' said Freeman. ``We must continue the technological advancements to stay on course for cleaner air and energy efficient transportation.'' Freeman testified that a tremendous amount of infrastructure planning and implementation has been done since the inception of the ZEV program laying a foundation for commercialization of the sustainable electric vehicle market. LADWP is the only California utility to partner with public and government agencies and has installed more than 350 public charging stations at shopping centers, hotels, hospitals, city buildings and entertainment centers. LADWP also has deployed electric vehicles in its fleet operations. The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program was originally adopted following a hearing in 1990 as part of the Low-Emission Vehicle regulations. The ZEV program is an integral part of California's mobile source control efforts and is intended to create a market for advanced technologies that will secure increasing air quality benefits for California now and in the future. ZEVs have significant long-term benefits because they have no emission control equipment that can deteriorate or fail and generate only minimal ``upstream'' refueling and fuel cycle emissions in California. The standards are reviewed every two years at Board hearings.