California lawmakers fly to Scandinavia to learn about energy
SACRAMENTO -- A delegation of nine California state lawmakers has left on a trip to Sweden and Norway to study how the Scandinavians have advanced environmental and energy policies.
The trip is one of several largely paid for over the years by the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, a nonprofit group funded by business and labor groups, including the oil and energy industries.
“With last year’s inauguration of the AB32--initiated Cap and Trade Program, and a number of deadlines on the horizon, there is an urgent need to establish a baseline of common knowledge about the complex mechanics of policy implementation and the technologies we have or will require to meet these goals,” the foundation said in a statement.
State senators scheduled to go on the trip from Sept. 19 to 30 include Democrats Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles and Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens, as well as Republicans Anthony Cannella of Ceres and William Emmerson of Hemet.
Assembly members on the trip include Republicans Travis Allen of Huntington Beach and Kristin Olsen of Modesto, as well as Democrats Steven C. Bradford of Gardena, Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens and Shirley Weber of San Diego.
Others on the trip include executives with Chevron Corp., Shell Energy North America, Southern California Edison, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, Southern California Pipe Trades and the Nature Conservancy.
The California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy’s “goal is to provide policymakers with a first-hand look at best practices around the world and to facilitate a productive, nonpartisan discussion of the environmental and infrastructure issues facing the state of California,” said P.J. Johnston, a spokesman for the foundation.
Separately, Assembly Spekaer John Perez (D-Los Angeles) is leading a delegation of lawmakers on a trip to the Republic of Armenia.
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