*California approves plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions

Updated at 5:00 p.m.

The California Air Resources Board has unanimously adopted the nation’s most sweeping plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

The bold move by the world’s eighth-largest economy would cut the state’s emissions by 15% over the next 12 years. It lays out targets for virtually every sector of the economy, from electrical plants and automobiles to landfills and city planning. And it amounts to an average cut of four tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases for every person in the state.

"We have laid out a path that, if followed, can transform our economy and put us on the road to a healthier state," said Mary Nichols, the head of the state Air Resources Board. "The task of coping with global warming is not something California can do alone and not something that will be finished in 2020. It is something our children and grandchildren will have to cope with as well. But if use this road map, we are putting California on the right track to transform our economy in a way that is good for our environment, for our health, for our future." 

(Read more after the jump)

-- Margot Roosevelt

The blueprint, which  would be implemented over the next two years, puts California at the forefront of national climate policy at a time when President-elect Barack Obama has vowed to push ahead with national efforts to control emissions.

Worldwide, planet-warming gas emissions have been growing far more rapidly than scientists had predicted. And in California, with a fast-growing population and sprawling suburban development, emissions were on track to increase by 30% over 1990 levels by 2020.

The state is expected to experience severe damage from climate change, including water shortages from a shrinking snowpack, increased wildfires, rising coastal sea levels and pollution-aggravating heat waves.

Manufacturers and chambers of commerce have called on regulators to cut the cost of the climate plan, saying that it will cost businesses billions of dollars in higher electricity costs, as utilities are forced to move to renewable energy. Automakers have also fought California’s pending rule to crack down on carbon dioxide emissions from cars, a regulation that more than a dozen states say they will also adopt. (Update: An earlier version of this post said manufacturers and chambers of commerce  had asked for a delay in the plan; they have asked for its cost to be cut.)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger  strongly endorsed the climate plan, which includes a cap-and-trade plan that would permit industries to trade pollution credits to meet the targets more cheaply.

"We have no intention of backing away from our historic commitment to the fight against global warming because the economy has slowed down," Schwarzenegger said in a message this week to international climate negotiators who are meeting in Poland.

"The green rules and regulations that will help save our planet will also revive our economies."

Comments

[Bill McConnell]

Great. That's what we voted our legislators in to office for, to appoint a regulatory panel to handle a global issue. Great work Assembly and Senate members. Why don't you work on the money problem instead and figure out just how to close a 15-billion dollar deficit and let the EPA and the feds figure out the climate issue.

[DVS]

For all his faults, it's good to see our Governor taking such a strong stand on this issue. That Barack Obama has chosen Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize winner in physics as Secretary of Energy, shows how seriously he, and we as a country, are taking global warming as the number one health issue on the planet. Of course, having most scientists around the world all agreeing on that point doesn't hurt either. I'm going to be dead before this ever gets' too bad, but this isn't about me. This is about our children. And, with the help of our new president, and all the scientists working toward new solutions, maybe our kids will have a half-way decent planet in which to live.

[Tom]

Don't buy into the hype. Global warming isn't what it's made out to be. It's likely either one of the planet's natural cycles, or caused by solar activity, both of which which will occur regardless of our behavior. Contrarian scientists don't get the coverage they deserve because their research and conclusions don't fit what members of the media want to believe. Their research just might reduce the fortune Al Gore has made by profiting on the unwarranted fear mongering on this issue, so he's got an interest in perpetuating the myth that human activity is to blame.

Bill McConnell is right. The Democrat controlled legislature FIRST has to work on the budget issue and curb it's unrestrained and irresponsible spending, THEN tackle issues like this WHEN there is conclusive evidence that our activities are producing "global climate change" or whatever you Chicken Littles want to call it this week.

[peggy]

I am afraid of what will happen to my costs to operate a vehicle in a state that has crumby public transportation when I live on a lower income in a rural (a long way to all services) area, but the economy will absolutely gain from this action!! It's just that some of us tend to be a bit beyond the destination of the trickle because of the way our nation's wealth reallocation occurs (the structure of the economy.)

[gr8fun4me]

Do it! That's the same thing Xcel Energy said in Colorado and guess what it's not! Plus they finished the project faster than projected.

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING. It's going to bankrupt the state. The state is bankrupt because of mismanagement. Can't keep raising taxes forever.

[Terry Black]

Under George Bush, the federal government did nothing to reduce CO2 emissions, and the EPA actually opposed it! When national leadership fails, it's up to the states to take action, and this new proposal is an excellent example. When Obama becomes president, perhaps the feds can catch up with us.

[Scott]

Another reason to take my business out of the state...

[norma]

Gee, IF GLOBAL WARMING was false, it still would be nice to have a clean planet to sustain life upon, or from. Pride is something that all must have before we can overcome poverty, war, strife etc. Pride! Take pride in where and how we live, and part of the problems will be at peace.

[Richard Ivey]

Al Queda has metamorphosed and is now the California Air Resources Board.

[George Girton]

Bill McConnell's comment is as incorrect as it is ignorant. The California ARB members are appointed NOT by the legislature, whom McConnell wrongly criticizes for appointing them, but by the Governor, who takes a leadership position on global climate as well as the budget.

Yet another case where it's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove it.

[Jeffrey Wyant]

If California is serious about lowering carbon emissions, then it should convert most electric power plants to nuclear, since they have zero carbon output and have a relatively very small footprint in the earth's surface (when you add up all the infrastructure of the plant, the uranium mine, and the systems to support and supply the power plant). They also do not kill birds like windmills do, and they run 24/7 without battery storage needed.

Also, California should ban ethanol production from food crops such as corn. Numerous studies show that it takes more energy (usually petroleum-based) to process one gallon of ethanol than the gallon of ethanol produced. Then there's the fertilizer run-off, land erosion, etc., not counting how it drives up the price of corn! It's time to reverse this bad policy, since it neither reduces our dependence on foreign oil, nor helps the environment.

[C L]

It is little misleading to include a picture of smog with this article. Greenhouse gasses and smog are two completely different issues. Smog is caused by different pollutants, and cutting back on greenhouse gasses will do nothing to alleviate smog.

[Stop complaining!]

Scott:
If I had a penny for every time a business owner says his business is going out of state due to regulations....well you know the rest. I have not noticed CA becoming second rate to other states due to our embrace of environmental protections.

As for Bill McDonald's comment. Nowhere does it mention that the legislature is doing anything about global warming directly, so their time is free to use solving the budget problem. The Air Resources Board is not part of the legislature and this measure is being done through their regulatory process. If we are not going to educate ourselves, let's at least read the article before commenting on it.

Tom:
If you are suggesting that because the earth has natural processes that contribute to global warming, we should sit on our hands, I have a question. (with a tone of incredulous sarcasm) Are you f@#$%@g serious?

[Erin Ivy]

All is normal -- in a time of historic State budget shortfalls, more of the usual terrorism by the California Government upon the businesses & citizens that pay the tab for the State's ridiculous and untimely decisions.

[Stop complaining!]

Jeffrey:
Folks familiar with CA's environmental fight may remember that the state sued and eventually lost (I believe, maybe it is still in the courts) the fight to eliminate ethanol from its gasoline. Not only did Ethanol blended gasoline cost more to produce, it also did not burn cleaner than some 100% gasoline options available. The idiot that calls himself POTUS waived his magic wand and the EPA denied the ethanol waiver for the state.

Though not directed at Jeffrey, I second George Girton's last sentence for other folks here.

[Mr. Lee]

One thing I find missing in the climate discussion is...

We have deforested most of the world and at the same time our weather patterns have dramatically changed and carbon dioxide levels keep rising... What if we were to also plant more trees again - they would store water (up to thousands of gallons per tree), prevent soil erosion & desertification and convert carbon dioxide to oxygen!!!

[PNW Trojan]

Over the next 12!!! years??? Just 15%??? ANYONE wanna bet that there will be indefinite ROLLBACKS on this percentage and timeline? This is called (not by politicians, mind you!) "Shakin' da money tree"...

[Cecil]

The state is an economic disaster (we owe $41 billion) and the democrat legislature votes to make it harder for businesses to stay open and keep employiong YOU!. These are the most obtuse democrats and they are beyond salvaging. They all must go. This is adamant proof that they must go.

[tate Casey]

This debate about what priorities the legislature should have is a good one.
I call it "creative-avoidance" when the most painful task is pushed back on the priority list by those tasks that "feel good".
By not figuring out that spending must be cut drastically in California, especially in these hard times, is a total sham.
The legislature wants to increase taxes; there by pushing the financial burden on businesses, property owners and individuals, rather than taking the bad medicine now and doing their jobs.
Although I continue to live in Southern California, I moved my business to New Mexico almost 2 years ago because California's bad business "climate". Apparently, the California legislature is more concerned about global warming, then creating revenue. Good luck.

[P J Evans]

The manufacturers said the same things when the state set the first standards for refrigerators.
Now we have larger fridges that are cheaper and use a lot less electricity (and the manufacturers are still in business).

They have to stop listening to the lobbyists and get the engineers on the job. Lobbyists don't know nearly enough to say it can't be done.

[philbert]

To George Girton:

Actually, your comments are not completely correct. The origin of ARB's action today is rooted in Assembly Bill 32, which was signed into law by Schwarzenegger in September 2006 (http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/4111/). This bill requires ARB to develop mechanisms and regulations set forth in AB 32 to address greenhouse gasses. So while it is true that the ARB Board is not the same as the State Legislature, the ARB was carrying out a directive given to them by the State. This means the Legislature was spent a lot of time on this issue, when (even back in 2006) the state was not in good financial condition (though it was better than it is now). CA State government is a joke. You should learn to be more civil to other posters and not act like you know everything.

[Steve]

Do the people of California realize what a joke the rest of the population of the country think they are? Wasting so much money on unproven theories created by so called 'scientists' who purposely create a scare to increase their research budgets and keep their jobs, thereby creating markets for hucksters hawking all these 'green products'? Really, haven't Califonians gotten over the 60's? The rest of the world has. It was all an acid trip people! As an example, these chicken littles screaming that the sky is falling and the globe is warming fail to mention that this week it SNOWED IN NEW ORLEANS!!!! Doesn't sound like global warming to me. A couple of decades ago, it was the coming ice age. These are the same type that tell us that sugar causes cancer, whoops sacharin causes cancer, whoops sugar doesn't cause cancer. But, you people continue to fall for it. Just don't export your stupidity.

[tBERT]

For those that say it takes more energy to produce one gallon of ehtanol that it does of gasoline.... I suggest you look at studies that have been done in the past year or two. Almost all of the information i have found that supports your theory is over 5 and in some cases over 15 years old. I suggest your educate yourself before you speak.

I think we should all be ashamed. we are in debt, yet we approve a high speed train that will cost how many billion? I am going to have my tax dollar go toward something that i will never see in my lifetime! 30 years to build a train from San Fran to LA... Are you kidding me?

I live here but like so many others have moved my business out of state. The move was purely financial.

[Creative Greenius]

I'm glad the global warming deniers and know nothings were ignored and defeated in today's Scoping Plan approval. I'm proud, as a Californian of our CARB and of the leadership our state is showing on this issue.

Lots of people post comments on-line but a very tiny percentage of them get involved and actually do anything.

A strong opinion not backed by any action is meaningless and the sound of an empty drum.

Now it's time for our state to put the screws to the car companies and force them to start producing plug-ins.

[angela]

thanks to STOP COMPLAINING. I'm in complete agreement with your post.

[Arthur O'Donnell]

I'd like to call attention to one of the significant changes made to the initial draft, in the form of ARB's explicit recognition that voluntary purchases of renewable energy will be valued under the regulations to implement a cap on GHG.

In several provisions of the scoping plan, ARB specifically cites that voluntary actions, including "...voluntary renewable power purchases by individuals, businesses, and others, serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the cap."

This is a crucial component of the implementation, in that it recognizes and preserves the value of private investments in renewable energy made now and in advance of the trading regime. We believe it also illustrates California's endorsement of renewable energy as a legitimate means to reduce or offset GHG emissions now and in the future.

For instance, on Page 70, the doc adds a provision that could direct funds from GHG allowances to support new renewables::

"Possible uses of allowances and of the revenue generated under the program include:
· Reducing costs of emissions reductions or achieving additional reductions – Funding energy efficiency and renewable resource development could lower overall costs to consumers and companies, and provide the opportunity to achieve greater emissions reductions than would otherwise be possible. Program revenues could be used to fund programs directly, or create financial incentives for others.
Allowance set-asides could also be used to provide incentives for voluntary renewable power purchases by individuals and businesses, and for increased energy efficiency."

This last section was added from the previous version. ao'd

[Roger Halstead]

Few disagree that Global Warming exists, except for a small, vocal minority.
Few disagree that Global Warming (and cooling) are part of a natural cycle.
Few disagree that mankind is making a substantial addition to the present warming except that same vocal minority.

As to Alcohol for a fuel: It's *supposed* to be an interim measure, not one of long term. Also *currently* Alcohol appears to be showing a net energy GAIN of about 50%, rather than the old studies that showed a net energy loss. However the goal is *supposed* to be replacing corn with a non food source that does not compete for the use of land that grows food crops. Hemp as grown in Canada would probably be one of the best. In the US it was known as "Ditch Grass" during WW2

[Berri Brand]

The California ARB isn't the Legislature. The ARB is a department of the California EPA, which is a cabinet-level agency in the California Executive Branch of the Government. The Legislature is part of the Legislative branch of the government - totally separate from the CalEPA and ARB.

The job of the ARB is regulate air pollution, of which greenhouse gases are considered. The Supreme Court of the USA already said the Clean Air Act applies to greenhouse gases. The ARB is doing the job it is meant to do!!

If we wait for the "sky to fall" to do something about climate change, we will already be condemned as a dead species. I never could fathom why people are so reluctant to do anything good about the environment. It is a matter of your health and the health of your children. Do you really hate your children (or your children's children) that much that you want them to live in a potentially overheated and barren wasteland? Why take the risk when you can do something about it now?

Obviously, California cannot solve this problem on its own, but someone somewhere has to take the first big step so that others will follow. Why not take the first step here so that we can be the leaders of the new global industry of "green" and foster new "green" jobs right here at home. I currently work in this field and my job is very stable and my salary is very good. Jobs in my field will only grow and I wuold love for all Californian's to share in what could be the next big economical boom.

[P J Evans]

Something else:
Do any of you who are complaining about these regulations remember what LA's air was like 40 years ago?
I do.
I can tell you that this area would be literally uninhabitable without these regulations. We'd all be dead from the pollution.

[Edward A. Mainland]

Everyone is invited to visit www.sierraclubcalifornia.org/globalwarming for ways to push climate protection forward, confound the naysayers and doomcryers alike, and catalyze the new, vibrant low-carbon California energy economy that can show the world a healthier path. The Air Resources Board is on the right track; its AB 32 Scoping Plan is moving us ahead; now everyone needs to support the regulatory proceedings that will actually put the Plan into detailed effect, to the overall benefit to us all. -- Ed Mainland, Co-Chair, Energy-Climate Committee, CNRCC Sierra Club California.

[glen montgomery]

Can anyone tell me why all the idiots that believe in global warming and think Bush was the anti Christ own American cars and work in real estate. lol

Merry Christmas

[trajan hercules]

I am sort of in the middle on this issue and I think that is the best place to be. What we should be doing is NOT driving industry out of the state and what we should be doing is creating industry. So I would not focus on solving the global warming problem right now with these ARB type of mandates. There are too many variables and intangibles to the issue that we as human beings on this planet have no control over or deep understanding of. What we can do is to move aggressively to implement mature ideas that do NOT contribute to increasing any perceived global warming problem. We should immediately move to use solar energy to power our state. The technology has great geographic potential here, is mature and ready and all we need is for government to act. We should set up the infrastructure for electric cars in our state. That means a network of charging stations being built all over. We also should aggressively start to build nuclear power facilities. Those 3 things right there is enough to do right now and would put California at the forefront of the move away from carbon based energy. If we act now the effect on our economy will be immediate. Investment will start to pour in and a new era( one that we know is coming) will have been started. What are we waiting for? Why force undue regulation and pain on existing businesses in times like these when we can pioneer and create new industry and economic opportunity for all now and in the future? All while solving the perceived global warming problem even better and faster.

[Edward A. Mainland]

About California's new climate protection plan there is much wailing, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments from dirty polluting industries, special pleaders and their ideological fellow travelers and attorneys. Pay them no heed. The costs and economic impact of doing nothing, as they advise, will be horrendous, countless times more serious than doing what's right for the climate. Google "Next 10" for a recent report on what the true economic and social costs of doing nothing will be. You'll never listen to another naysayer again.

[Tom]

California's net effect on total world emission of warming gasses: 0.001% or there abouts.

Effect on consumers & taxpayers: $ 1000s per year in extra costs, leaving that much less disposable income to stimulate the economy.

Regulations and government edict *never* increase productivity and growth.

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation.

How are they helped by squandering Billions of dollars on the "carbon bogeyman" ?

[Bill Smith]

It's GLOBAL WARMING. What percentage of the earth's fossil fuel is used by CA, whose population of 38 million is 0.63% of the GLOBAL population Let's say the the average California uses 5 times more energy than the average GLOBAL resident; thus using 3.1% of the GLOBAL energy. The Air Board's goal is to reduce output of the offending gas by 15%, which equates to lowering the GLOBAL emission output by 0.48%. That is going to save CA from the ravages of GLOBAL WARMING? What a joke. The rest of the country and world will emulate CA; another joke. Even the most naive, most uneducated, most political correct, most scientifically bankrupt state bureaucrat, such as Ms. Nichols, can't really believe what they are trying to sell. Truly pitiful.

[Rick]

There is not a natural cycle for global warming. The natural world is one of cause and effect and not random cycles. We have absolutely no understanding of solar activity and any ideas about it is just conjecture. We do know what happens when carbon is added to our atmosphere. We do know what happens if our planet becomes warmer. Responsible people look at the facts and act accordingly. I applaud the State of California.

[BillF]

Meanwhile, the State of California and local municipalities generate huge quantities of greenhouse gases by composting millions of tons of green waste every year rather than using it for energy. Even putting it in landfills (properly lined and capped) allows the gases to be captured and makes methane that can be used. Composting makes huge quantities of carbon dioxide along with some methane all of which is directly discharged into the air.

[Earthling]

These anti-global warning fools are the modern day equivalent to the Earth is not round crowd. Amazing. Sure, human activity is releasing megatons of CO2 unnaturally into the Earth system every year -- nah, that can't be causing any issues! Go back and REALLY study even the beginnings of the Earth as a system, and you'll come to realize what sort of can of worms we are opening by doing this. To the moron who mentioned snow in New Orleans -- well, OK then, obviously that backs up your ideas that pollution and re-release of CO2 into the atmosphere is no issue.

[Gary Fitzner]

I don't understand this global climate change "concern", since most of the industry we have driven out of this country are now polluting China, Thailand, and other countries. That doesn't sound like a global solution--and the global climate isn't really being improved--just the local climate.