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CURBING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS - THE GOVERNATOR’S LEGACY

CURBING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS - THE GOVERNATOR’S LEGACY

By Jodi Summers

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will eventually leave office, but his impact may be felt for generations to come. AB 32 and Order S-21-09 – California admirably and aggressive energy initiatives pushed forward by our governor, may actually make the world a cleaner, better place.

“Global warming is a global problem that requires a global solution and I am committed to working toward that solution so our children and grandchildren are left with a clean environment and a strong economy,” observes Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Our policies have influenced the world.”

Thought you’d all appreciate a little primer on AB 32 and Order S-21-09 – California’s bold green energy strategies.

The regulations authorized under AB 32, California’s landmark 2006 global warming initiative gave us the world’s first comprehensive law to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Current law requires investor-owned utilities such as Edison to produce 20% of their power from wind, solar and geothermal energy by 2010 (a target they are expected to miss.)

AB 32 mandates a reduction of California’s GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and calls for an 80 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. The state has approved an AB 32 Scoping Plan as a blueprint for reducing GHG emissions, adopted measures from the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to the Pavley Vehicle Standards to address 40 percent of its overall goals and is working on more than 20 additional measures such as a cap-and-trade system to fully meet AB 32 mandates.

Recently, the Governator signed Executive Order S-21-09, directing the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations increasing California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 33 percent by 2020 - putting California on track to becoming the largest clean energy producer in the nation.

“Every year it becomes more apparent that no single issue threatens the health and prosperity of our world, or provides a greater opportunity for economic success than climate change,” concludes the governor. “That is why California has stepped up to take the lead. Three years ago I signed the world’s most comprehensive global warming law and since then our emissions have been reduced, our green economy has grown and our policies have influenced the world.”

Once his term as governor is finished, Arnold Schwarzenegger may find himself joining former Vice President Al Gore in the crusade for a cleaner planet.

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