Governor Explains Veto of Holding Tank Bill

   Print

The office of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued this message following the governor’s veto on Aug. 18 of AB 1824, a bill governing the use of certain chemicals for RV holding tanks.

This bill prohibits the sale and use of a specified list of chemicals in chemical toilets and waste facilities of recreational vehicles.

Current law already gives the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) the ability to address the issue of chemical toilet products in recreational vehicles. Additionally, DTSC has the ability to address this issue through the Green Chemistry process.

This bill presents a scenario that is ripe for a Green Chemistry approach: competing science on each side of the issue; concern about the effectiveness of alternative products for the  consumer’s intended use; consumer reaction in the wake of an ineffective alternative; and questions as to whether banning particular chemicals will actually address the underlying problem.

Neither I, nor members of the legislature, are best equipped to answer these questions. We need science and scientists to undertake this challenge and develop a solution that addresses the chemical problem and provides the consumer with a product that is both economical and effective for its intended purpose.

Under the leadership of my Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Green Chemistry process is well underway at DTSC. We will have regulations adopted by Jan. 1, 2011, and DTSC should address the issue raised in this bill either under that process or under their existing authority.