Opinion: Not producing oil isn’t enough. California should ban new gas-powered cars

To the editor: I strongly echo Jacques Leslie’s plea that Gov. Jerry Brown take steps to reduce oil production by California. (“Keeping California’s dirty oil in the ground would be Jerry Brown’s most powerful legacy,” Opinion, Dec. 14)

The state could take bigger strides on the consumption side as well. Indeed, with our federal Environmental Protection Agency chief in the process of dismantling his organization and our president having made the U.S. the only country on Earth not committed to fighting climate change, we need bold government action to reenergize Americans who are willing to reduce oil consumption.

If California were to outlaw the sale of fossil-fuel-powered cars by 2030, other blue states would follow. Thus we would have laid the groundwork for a clean nationwide transportation system and, most importantly, helped the U.S. reclaim a leadership role in this vital environmental battle.

What about it, Governor?

Walter Piper, Irvine

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To the editor: Leslie argues that Brown should cut back on oil extraction in California and that keeping it in the ground is the most powerful legacy he could leave behind.

There are at least three other reasons to keep our oil where it is.

First, there is the stark contrast between California’s leadership position on important issues like healthcare and our status as a major petroleum-producing state. Second, there’s a need for a large fuel reserve to keep our state’s economy robust if we encounter a man-made or natural catastrophe, however remote the possibility may be.

Finally, there is the success of renewable energy in California and the great number of jobs that sector is creating. SB 100 by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) would accelerate that progress.

Van Ajemian, Montebello

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