Securing America's Future Energy

SAFE Commends California Officials for Enacting Legislation Allowing Testing of Autonomous Transportation Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leslie Hayward
Number: 202-461-2361

Washington, D.C.—Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) praised California for enacting legislation into law that expands the ability to test new autonomous transportation technology on public roads. “We commend Governor Jerry Brown and the California Legislature for passing and enacting Assembly Bill 1592 to advance and encourage more testing of autonomous vehicles of some roads in California,” said SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond. “Such action helps continue the mobility innovation underway that, once implemented, will save lives and prevent injuries from vehicular accidents. It will also greatly enhance the mobility and independence of disabled and elderly citizens, and increase fuel efficiency and diversity of our transportation sector.”

AB 1592 was sponsored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and signed into law yesterday by Governor Brown. SAFE supported passage and enactment of AB 1592 and communicated its support with elected state officials in California.

Enactment of this legislation will reverse the impact of restrictive regulations recently enacted by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which impede the ability to test and deploy autonomous vehicles in California. While not a comprehensive solution, SAFE applauds the passage of AB 1592 as an important step towards allowing society to reap the full benefits of autonomous vehicles. Earlier this year, SAFE released a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to advance the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the coming years as part of its National Strategy for Energy Security.

About Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE)

Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is a nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil in order to bolster national security and strengthen the economy. SAFE advocates for expanded domestic production of U.S. oil and gas resources, continued improvements in fuel efficiency, and in the long-term, breaking oil’s stranglehold on the transportation sector through alternatives like natural gas for heavy-duty trucks and plug-in electric vehicles. In 2006, SAFE joined with General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, to form the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a group of business and former military leaders committed to reducing the United States’ dependence on oil. Today, the ESLC is co-chaired by Frederick W. Smith and General James T. Conway, 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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