Much progress was made in protecting our air and water in 2006. Above, Lake Tahoe in winter (credit: Burn Blue).

In 2006, California took significant steps to combat global warming, increase our use of solar power, protect our wild forests and oceans, stop off shore drilling, and clean up our air. In fact, more progress has been made this past year towards improving the quality of our air, water and open spaces than in any year in recent memory—with 13 of 17 Environment California-supported bills becoming law.

It took legislators like Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, Senate President Don Perata and Asm. Hectore Del La Torre working with Gov. Schwarzenegger to make 2006 a strong year for the environment. Here are a few highlights.

Energy and Global Warming
California made history in 2006 when the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) became law. This is the nation’s first statewide cap on global warming pollution and will reduce emissions in California by 25 percent over the next 14 years.

After three years, the Million Solar Roofs bill (SB1), authored by Sen. Kevin Murray (Los Angeles) became law. SB 1 complements the California Solar Initiative established by the Public Utilities Commission in January 2006 and puts California on track toward building a million solar roofs in the next 10 years.

Environmental Health
We succeeded in passing the Healthy Day Cares Act (AB 2865), which requires schools to notify parents about pesticide applications. The new law also ensures that all day care providers have access to information and trainings on least-toxic Integrated Pest Management techniques.

Thanks to the new Chemical Detection Law (AB 289), California now has the ability to get the tools it needs to detect potentially harmful chemicals that currently go unnoticed in our bodies and the environment. California is the first state in the country to enact such a law.

You can read more about all of the new laws on our Web site at www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org.