<\/p>\n
A Waymo vehicle exits a charging lot. Letter argues autonomous vehicles are making dangerous mistakes and urges Sacramento lawmakers to oppose federal measures that limit state regulation.<\/p>\n
Brandon Bell<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
Beware of the Waymos<\/p>\n
\u201cWaymo self-driving taxis are coming to California\u2019s capital<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 5)<\/p>\n Robotaxis are already making dangerous mistakes. Waymo vehicles are currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for striking a child near an elementary school in California. Another of its vehicles recently drove into an active police scene in Georgia, and news outlets are reporting that Tesla\u2019s robotaxis are crashing at higher rates than human drivers in Texas.<\/p>\n This matters now because lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are debating components of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. The SELF DRIVE Act (H.R. 7390) is expected to head to the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n Members of the committee, including Sacramento Rep. Doris Matsui, should oppose it. It fails to address known safety issues with autonomous vehicles and preempts states\u2019 ability to regulate them properly.<\/p>\n Andrew McGuire<\/p>\n Executive director, Trauma Foundation<\/p>\n Kiley\u2019s non-answers<\/p>\n \u201cListen to Rep. Kevin Kiley speak at Sacramento Bee live event<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 18)<\/p>\n A small number of us attended the interview of Rep. Kevin Kiley conducted by The Sacramento Bee. The questions directed at Kiley were thoughtful and serious. Yet, as one audience member remarked to me afterward, \u201cWell, that was a bunch of non-answers.\u201d I couldn\u2019t agree more.<\/p>\n I found Kiley\u2019s responses to be cavalier and disingenuous.<\/p>\n He did say one thing I agree with: we need someone who represents all of us in Congress. From this voter\u2019s perspective, he is not that person.<\/p>\n Holly Stryker<\/p>\n Lincoln<\/p>\n Top five primary<\/p>\n \u201cCalifornia Democrats pass on endorsing any candidate for governor<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 22)<\/p>\n California Democratic Party delegates were split at their convention over who to rally behind for this year\u2019s gubernatorial race. People are decrying an overcrowded candidate field and chaotic party, and hand-wringing over the (very real) potential that California ends up with a Republican governor.<\/p>\n Rather than relying on strategic voting, backroom deals or party kingmakers to decide our next governor, Californians should start demanding a top-five primary and ranked-choice voting system for statewide elections.<\/p>\n With ranked choice voting, voters hold the power to decide \u2014 rather than party leadership.<\/p>\n Betsie Cialino<\/p>\n West Sacramento<\/p>\n In defense of hydrogen blending<\/p>\n \u201cCommentary: Blending hydrogen into gas pipelines would enrich utilities and harm Californians<\/a>,\u201d (sacbee.com<\/a>, Feb. 18)<\/p>\n Hydrogen blending is safe, and California is taking significant steps to incorporate it into its clean energy strategy.<\/p>\n Hydrogen blending is not new or experimental \u2014 it has been used safely for decades. For nearly 50 years, Hawai\u2018i Gas has delivered a blend containing up to 15% hydrogen to homes and businesses without needing special appliances or equipment.<\/p>\n These efforts are not utility\u2011driven workarounds. The state of California directed gas utilities to propose hydrogen blending projects as part of its emissions\u2011reduction strategy. Policymakers wisely recognized that a blend containing 20% clean renewable hydrogen could offer a 7% systemwide emissions reduction \u2014 comparable to removing about a million cars from California roads each year \u2014 and be cost-effective, by using existing infrastructure.<\/p>\n Neil Navin<\/p>\n Senior vice president, chief infrastructure officer, Southern California Gas<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Waymo vehicle exits a charging lot. 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