California's Failed Attempts With Alternative Fuels

The state's efforts to wean itself from petroleum since the 1979 oil shock have not produced a shift away from gasoline powered cars, though regulations have proven successful in improving air quality.

1 minute read

August 5, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

"For a quarter century, California has pursued petroleum-free transportation more doggedly than any other place in the U.S. It has tried to jump-start alternative fuels ranging from methanol to natural gas to electricity to hydrogen. None has hit the road in any significant way... With $75-a-barrel oil, and increasing concern about the role fossil fuels are playing in global warming, 99% of its cars and trucks still run on petroleum products."

However, the initiative has produced some positive results. "The alternative-fuel push has helped scrub California's air, but it has done so by forcing improvements in fossil fuels and the cars that burn them." In addition, California now accounts for 26% of the U.S. hybrid market, far more than any other state.

On the downside, California's regulations appear have galvanized both the petroleum and auto industries to resist further regulations and taxes.

[Editor's note: Although this article is only available to WSJ subscribers, it is available to Planetizen readers for free through the link below for a period of seven days.]

Thanks to Mark Boshnack

FULL STORY: How California Failed in EffortsTo Curb Its Addiction to Oil

Wednesday, August 2, 2006 in The Wall Street Journal

Energy Environment Transportation California

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