Climate change, electric vehicles and Delta tunnel among the focuses of gubernatorial candidate forum
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The schism between Democratic environmental ideals and California voters’ anxiety about affordability, notably gas prices, were on full display during an environmental policy forum among some of the state’s top Democratic candidates for governor on Wednesday.The Democrats questioned the economic impact Californians could face because of Gov.Gavin Newsom’s goal to have the state transition to zero-emission vehicles, a policy that would ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and trucks by 2035.
The Trump administration has attempted to negate the policy by canceling federal tax credits for the purchase of such vehicles along with invalidating California’s strict emission standards.“It’s absolutely true that it’s not affordable today for many people to choose an” electric vehicle, said former Rep.Katie Porter of Irvine.
“It’s the fact that, particularly with expiring federal subsidies and the cuts that Trump has made, an electric vehicle often costs $8,000 or $10,000 more.If we want people to choose EVs, we have to close that gap.”Both Porter and rival Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra, who served as Health and Human Services secretary under former President Biden, said that as governor they would focus on making low-emission vehicles more affordable and practical.
Porter said the cost of buying a zero-emission car needs to be comparable with those that run on gas, and Becerra said California needs to have enough charging stations so drivers “don’t have to worry can they get to their destination.”“We know our future is in clean energy and in making our environment as clean as possible,” Becerra said.“We’ve got to make it affordable for families.”Porter and Becerra joined two other Democrats in the 2026 California governor’s race — former hedge fund founder turned environmental advocate Tom Steyer and Rep.
Eric Swalwell of Dublin �...