ChevronTexaco’s recent
half-million dollar gift to the Republican party after years of giving
only small change may be fueling more than the rising star of
former-Chevron-lobbyist-turned-Schwarzenegger-Chief of-Staff Patricia
Clarey. Air pollution is on the rise and that could mean changing gas
formulations to reduce emissions. Any modification in gasoline
formulations to clean up the air would cost ChevronTexaco a whole lot
more than a half mil because its refineries will have to come up to
spec.
Documenting the poor air quality this summer, the South Coast Air
Quality Management District (AQMD) has proposed to the Governor’s Air
Resources Board a modification in gasoline requirements (RFG) to
further reduce air emissions. The reformulation is needed to bring the
AQMD in compliance with the statewide plan (State Implementation Plan)
for pollution reduction. ChevronTexaco and the other oil companies hate
the costs associated with changes. A discussion of the AQMD’s proposal
and the State Implementation Plan is set for debate by the Board in
January. What the Board does at the January 13th meeting will say
something about what kind of green Arnold values more.
ChevronTexaco just announced its most profitable quarter since the
company’s merger two years ago. With gas formulations on the table and
pending regulations governing auto emissions under development, $500K
is a cheap way to grease another year of record profits.
