Staff Reports
Los Angeles, known for its traffic jams and liberal politics, is gearing up for the 2028 Olympic Games and has set its sights on becoming a “zero-emissions transportation city.” The city, which often finds itself tangled in gridlock and red tape, hopes to showcase its environmental efforts to the world. But let’s be real, folks, this is going to be a tough sell.
The ambitious plan, which was rolled out in 2018, aims to eliminate emissions from cars, buses, and trucks by the time the Olympic torch is lit. However, city officials are already sweating like a turkey on Thanksgiving because they’ve admitted that they’ve got a long way to go.
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Los Angeles aims for zero-emissions transportation goal by 2028 Olympics https://t.co/hIPxdp5v9M
— Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) March 13, 2024
Matt Petersen, the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, who’s leading this green dream, acknowledged the enormity of the challenge. He pointed out that billions of people will have their eyes on the Games, and millions of folks will descend upon Los Angeles. It’s like trying to hide a hippo in a haystack.
Now, here’s the kicker: the city’s goal goes 25% beyond the already challenging California state law and Paris Climate Accord targets for emissions reduction in the transportation industry. California, with its love for regulating everything, had set a goal of getting 5 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the city and county are aiming for a whopping 80% of vehicles sold by 2028 to be electric. They’re also looking to convert taxis, ride-sharing, and public transit to run on electricity. Good luck getting those Hollywood A-listers to give up their gas-guzzling limos, folks.
Heather Repenning, from LA Metro, admitted that the agency provides a whopping 1 million daily rides. She then dropped the bombshell that all 2,200 of the city’s buses are in the process of being replaced by electric buses. But get this, there are only two companies that can handle such a massive order. It’s like trying to fit an elephant into a Mini Cooper.
Patty Monahan from the California Energy Commission highlighted the top barrier for electric vehicle sales: the lack of reliable infrastructure and charging stations. However, fear not, my friends, the grand plan is to add a whopping 130,000 charging stations across the city, making them as accessible as a candy store on Halloween.
And then there’s the big talk about creating a “car-free Games,” with bus-only lanes and mobility hubs. They’re even contemplating borrowing thousands of buses for the event. It’s like trying to organize a circus without any clowns!
The move toward zero-emissions transportation is supposed to have a significantly positive impact on the city’s heavily polluted air. But let’s be real, folks, this kind of overhaul is like trying to tame a tornado with a feather duster.
Despite all the eco-enthusiasm, it’s worth noting that these grand plans are being driven by none other than then-Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat. His grandstanding on the issue included some feel-good rhetoric, claiming that the city is “charting a course toward a cleaner transit network.” What a load of hogwash.
Repenning, in a fit of hopefulness, proclaimed that she’s aiming to permanently change the city’s travel habits. But it’s worth remembering that Los Angeles is notorious for its love affair with cars. Good luck prying the steering wheels from their hands, folks.
So, as the Left Coast loonies prepare for their eco-circus of an Olympic Games, it’s clear that they’ve got a real uphill battle ahead. With a city that’s as congested with traffic as it is with left-wing politics, achieving a “zero-emissions transportation city” seems about as likely as finding a unicorn in Hollywood. Keep dreaming, LA.
