The Global Warming Solutions Act
of 2006, AB32 (Nunez/Pavley) cleared its first hurdle this evening with a
passing vote of 5/2 in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Numerous groups
and individuals showed up to speak in favor of the historic policy that would
establish first-in-the-nation regulations to cap global warming pollution on a
statewide level.
“We applaud the members of the
Senate Environment Committee for advancing this historic bill,” said Bernadette
Del Chiaro, advocate with Environment California. “With today’s vote, California is poised to
lead the country by capping pollution and ultimately promoting clean energy solutions
like solar power and energy efficiency.”
The Global Warming Solutions Act
of 2006 (AB 32) would mandate that California reduce global
warming pollution by 25% by 2020 through mandatory regulations of the state’s
biggest polluters. The regulations would be adopted by the California Air
Resources Board (ARB) beginning in 2009 and would begin to take effect in 2012
cutting back emissions until the 25% reduction goal is achieved by 2020. Mandatory
reporting and an emissions inventory would take effect by 2008.
Regulations that cap global
warming pollution are needed, according to advocates and scientists, in order
to slow and ultimately stop the effects of global warming such as reduced Sierra Nevada snow-pack and
increased flooding along coastal areas. According to a newly released report by
Environment California, The Carbon Boom,
global warming pollution in California jumped 85%
between 1960 and 2001.
“When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should
do is stop digging,” said Del Chiaro. “Given the absence of action at the
federal level, it is incumbent upon California to step up and take the lead and
that is what we are doing with AB 32.”
The
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) is scheduled to go to Senate
Appropriations Committee next and then to the Senate Floor before heading back
to the Assembly for similar votes. The bill will then be put on the governor’s
desk for his signature. Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger issued an executive
order calling for the equivalent pollution reduction goals mandated by this
bill.
“This
bill would simply give teeth to the governor’s own global warming goals so we expect
the governor to sign the bill once it reaches his desk,” concluded Del Chiaro.
The
Senators voting for AB 32 this evening were all Democrats: Simitian, Lowenthal,
Escutia, Kuhel and Chesboro. The two senators casting a no vote were
Republicans: Cox and Runner.
