CA EVENT: Green Assets

Volatile energy costs are a concern for every California family-particularly the millions of households for whom every extra dollar spent on energy comes at the expense of other necessities and the ability to save. For these families, securing affordable energy would result in savings that could be used for short- or long-term investments. In a cruel twist, the people most in need of relief from high energy costs are those least able to afford the longer-term investments that would deliver it. Irvine Fellow Lisa Margonelli of the New America Foundation has developed a proposal to break this cycle, while avoiding the distortionary effects of gas tax holidays and tax rebates.

Margonelli's The Energy Security for American Families Initiative (ESAF) would put efficiency-maximizing technology within reach of lower-income California households through a range of incentives and low-interest loans. The proposal also supports public/private flexible transportation solutions. ESAF offers a market-oriented approach that steers working families' income towards productive expenditures rather than fossil fuel, reduces the burden of energy costs, stimulates the economy and cuts emission of greenhouse gases.

This luncheon event was sponsored by the New America Foundation, the Assets Policy Initiative of California, and the California Research Bureau.
See map: Google Maps

Participants

Opening Remarks
Olivia Calderon
California Legislative Director, Asset Building Program
New America Foundation

Featured Speaker
Lisa Margonelli
Irvine Fellow, New America Foundation
Author, "The Energy Security for American Families Initiative"

Related Links

• Lisa Margonelli's PowerPoint Presentation (PDF, 27 pps.)