Innovation and Green Technology
In the competitive global economy, the U.S. needs to be the leader in technology, innovation, and research and development.
30 years ago, the United States led the world in tax incentives for R&D – today we have fallen to 17th among developed nations. The future of our economy and the residents of the 36th District depends on our ability to stay ahead and be competitive and technologically advanced.
Investing in of renewable energy and clean technologies is one way to move our economy forward and help stem the tide of global climate change. Investing in new energy solutions will ease our dependence on foreign oil, help spur economic growth and create new, green jobs for our district.
Janice has encouraged and nurtured green technology companies working at the Port of Los Angeles. She has supported the Clean Air Action Plan and the Clean Trucks Programs, which have spurred entire new industries and businesses, many in the 36th District.
We must also make strategic investments to revitalize our infrastructure, including high-speed rail and advanced car batteries that will lead to the transportation systems of the future; and a smart electric grid and energy efficient homes, offices, and appliances that will reduce our overall energy consumption as a nation.
Southern California and the 36th District are poised to lead in this new economy. We have the talent, infrastructure, location, quality of life, and industry to expand existing businesses, acquire grants and federal funding, and attract new industry.
Global Climate Change
Global climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity. Janice believes that climate change is the result of human activity, and that we have to take responsibility for the problem, and do what we can to avert the worst effects. Just as human beings are the cause, changes in human behavior can be part of the solution.
California and other states have been leaders in developing innovative policies—often ahead of the federal government. Janice understands that we should not inhibit technical innovation that can provide economically viable solutions to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint. Nor should we inhibit policy innovations that seek to thwart climate change. Janice believes that we must encourage new policies, learn from them, and promote best practices to the national and international realm.
When Janice goes to Congress she will fight for the federal government to adopt the AB32 targets, and she will work with her colleagues from the west coast and New England to secure support for climate legislation. Janice also wants to meet with Representatives from mid-western and southern states – in an effort to help them find ways to use local resources to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Thankfully, California is moving ahead with AB32; and Los Angeles’ utility will be off coal by 2020, if not sooner. As a Councilwoman, Janice has been a steadfast supported of LADWP’s transition to clean energy, and she has pledged to work to achieve an aggressive national Renewable Portfolio Standard that will complement what we’re trying to accomplish here in California.
Clean Air
Air quality and clean air is essential to Janice. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are the single greatest source of pollution in California. As a member of the Los Angeles City Council, Janice has fought for a decade to change that. Janice’s central accomplishment on the Council was championing the greening of the Ports while maintaining jobs and economic viability.
Clean Water
The 36th Congressional District contains some of the most famous and attractive beachfront in the world. Protecting the ocean is a major priority for Janice. She strongly supports preserving and restoring the health of our oceans, and rejects any suggestion that restoring the health of the seas harms the economy. In fact, in the 36th district, a healthy ocean is one of our strongest economic assets.
Millions of people may live within a few miles of the ocean but that doesn’t mean our local waterways must be polluted. Our beaches are perhaps our greatest tourist attraction, and why many people visit this area. As a member of Congress, Janice will ensure that this beautiful resource is protected.
Ballona Creek
Janice hase long believed that the Los Angeles River and Ballona Creek should be liberated from their asphalt encasement and be converted into real assets, places of beauty, for the region. There are ways to protect the region from flooding – even more important with global warming – and working with nature to have these waterways become places of beauty again.
Environmental Justice
When Janice first campaigned for City Council, she heard stories from mothers who had children with asthma, and from residents who had a layer of black dust on their window sills from the Port-related emissions. Janice knew that she had to do something to improve the air for these communities, while at the same time protect the vital jobs that come from the Port. Janice worked day in and day out with local environmental justice groups on issues such as implementing the Clean Air Action Plan at the Port of Los Angeles, which has reduced overall Port emissions by half since it was implemented in 2006.
The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are the single greatest source of air pollution in the western United States. Low incoming residents that live near the Harbor Freeway, near the 710 Freeway, near the Alameda Corridor – these people breath-in a disproportionate share of air pollution when compared with wealthier communities. This is why Janice was such a strong supporter of the Clean Trucks Program and other measures to clean up the Port. With just the Clean Truck Program alone, we reduced diesel truck particulates 80% in less than 2 years—one of the most successful environmental programs in the US.
In her capacity at the LA City Council, along with Councilman Jose Huizar, Janice is the lead co-sponsor of the Clean Up Green Up initiative, which, if passed by the rest of the Council, the Clean Up Green Up program will set a national standard in addressing the disproportionate burden borne by low-income people.
Janice has also worked on setting up a Port Communities Mitigation Trust Fund, which dedicates funding for community mitigation projects in Wilmington and San Pedro every time the Port grows.
Unfortunately, the federal government has not always been our friend. Trains and ships are not regulated by municipalities or state government, but by the federal government and international treaties. As a member of Congress, Janice will use her power to force the Federal Maritime Commission to work collegially with California regulators. Janice believes that we’ve come a long way but we can still do better.