Two for the Future : Development of electric-auto and cleanup technologies holds economic promise

Purists on the issue of infrastructure spending sometimes turn up their noses at the thought of allocating public funds to “iffy” research and development ventures, preferring instead to sink scarce dollars into the concrete of new roadbeds and school foundations. But as Southern California’s economic base, once anchored by the aerospace industry, continues to erode, the region is engaged in a deliberate search for new technologies and ideas that could lead us into the 21st Century.

There are two important initiatives under way in Southern California that already have some federal and state assistance. But these ventures will need continuing help in the form of both public dollars and private industry support. They come with no ironclad promises of economic salvation for this region. But maybe, just maybe, they’ll help.

CALSTART: Beginning in 2003, the Clean Air Act low-emission vehicle goals will require that 10% of new cars sold be zero-emission vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) now are the only cars to satisfy that requirement. CALSTART, a Burbank-based consortium of utilities and private companies, is trying to bring EVs to market. The big unknown, of course, is whether American auto makers will begin to commercially manufacture EVs or leave it to the Japanese. If manufacturing begins, CALSTART may help make California a player.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP: Is there a future for California in the commercialization and export of advanced environmental cleanup technology? Current estimates suggest that by the year 2000 as much as 3% of the gross national product will be devoted to environmental protection. Some believe that California companies already have an edge in this area because the state has long operated under stricter air pollution regulations than much of the rest of the nation.

Many polluters are unaware of the range of cleanup technology available locally. The California Environmental Technology Partnership, created by Gov. Pete Wilson, may help. CETP brings together industry representatives, academics and government to identify needs for products or services as well as specific ways the state can help promote existing technologies and bring new ideas to market. This is a good start.