09/24/2009 GAAS:555:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Celebrates 3rd Anniversary of AB 32
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today delivered remarks commemorating the
third anniversary of the signing of AB 32, the world's first comprehensive law to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco. The Governor
discussed the steps California has taken to reduce its emissions since AB 32 was
signed, the state's efforts to engage other states and countries such as China
in the fight against climate change and the need for a global solution to this
global problem.
"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 - and 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," said Governor
Schwarzenegger. "But that was only the first step. 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."
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. Three
years after AB 32 became law, 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.
Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger took California another major step
forward toward reducing GHG emissions when he 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. California's leadership on energy and the environment has influenced
national and international policies. Last week, the Obama Administration announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will
adopt a vehicle emissions standard modeled after California's
first-in-the-nation standard and the International
Code Council announced the state's newly adopted Green Building
Standards Code will serve as a foundation for commercial buildings worldwide.
Furthermore, California participated in the launch of China's first GHG
emissions registry earlier this year.
Being a leader in clean energy standards has made California a leader in
clean energy investment and green jobs. In the last three years, more than $6
billion in venture capital has been pumped into California's economy, making us
the national leader in the number of clean businesses. Green jobs have also
skyrocketed, growing 10 times faster in California than in other areas. And the
growth is expected to continue. According to a recent study, California is on track to more than double its
power generated by solar panel installations in 2009.
Governor Schwarzenegger will be furthering California's leadership and
the fight against global warming next week at the Global Climate Summit 2. Leaders from
around that world will come together and collaborate on efforts to further the
global fight against climate change and to help build momentum to climate talks
in Copenhagen this December.
