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Post-Election, California Will Progress the World Forward Despite Challenges

In the realm of gasoline-powered transportation, California has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies since the mid-20th century. Following World War II, as car culture thrived in Southern California, the state increased its gas tax to create one of the first modern freeway networks. The U.S. federal government later emulated this model in the 1950s to develop the interstate highway system. In the 1980s, California spearheaded efforts against leaded gasoline, banning its sale in 1992, four years ahead of a nationwide ban. In 2019, after the Trump administration rolled back car emissions standards, California negotiated with major car manufacturers, such as Ford, Honda, VW, and BMW, to enforce stricter standards to combat climate change. The influence of California’s market effectively established this as a national standard, which the Biden administration subsequently ratified.

This historical context is not merely an academic exercise; similar innovative dynamics are currently unfolding in several key areas that are largely unnoticed outside California. The evolving landscape on America’s Pacific coast is developing solutions at a pace that defies traditional expectations.

Even before Kamala Harris became the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, there was optimism about these emerging changes. Should she succeed politically, her experiences in California may influence her approach to national and global issues. Her California background, characterized by an optimistic view of diversity and future opportunities, sharply contrasts with Donald Trump’s approaches.

Regardless of Harris’s political trajectory, California is expected to continue its purposeful progress, serving as an example of alternative methods. California’s role as a “reinvention state” rather than merely a “resistance state” warrants renewed attention. Despite challenges under Trump’s administration, there is a strong possibility that California’s trajectory will eventually influence the nation and possibly the world. Several examples illustrate this direction, showcasing the innovative spirit historically responsible for solving challenges.

In transportation, California’s pioneering freeway system has become overwhelmed and congested. Expanding it further is not feasible due to space constraints and immediate crowding upon new freeway openings. Without new transportation solutions, California risks further paralysis, worsening its other challenges. In response, California voters approved a nearly $10 billion bond in 2008 to construct a high-speed rail line spanning approximately 500 miles from Los Angeles to San Francisco through the Central Valley. Over the years, this initiative has been criticized as an over-budget and delayed project, labeled a “train to nowhere.” Initially expected to be operational, the first segment between Merced and Bakersfield is now anticipated to begin service by 2030.

Despite its challenges, the high-speed rail project has garnered clarity with recent developments. California has achieved full environmental clearance for the 463-mile stretch from downtown Los Angeles to San Francisco, with an additional 31 miles to Anaheim planned for clearance next year. The acquisition of necessary land parcels is nearly complete, and construction in the Central Valley is more advanced than commonly perceived. About 12,000 workers have been involved, and test trains are projected to run within three to four years. Once completed, California’s rail system will rank among the fastest globally, reaching speeds of 220 mph, surpassing the 200-mph speed of European trains and comparable to China’s Beijing-to-Shanghai line. Uniquely, it will operate solely on solar-generated electricity.

The project has significantly progressed over the last decade. Frequent visits to Fresno, the largest city along the initial route, reveal ongoing developments in rail construction, reminiscent of large-scale industrial endeavors seen in countries like China.

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