Gov. Schwarzenegger Commemorates Earth Day, Dedicates Natural Landmark and Launches Solar Project

In honor of Earth Day, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined with elected officials, environmentalists and Irvine Company executives to announce that 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve is being designated the first-ever California natural landmark. Following this announcement, the Governor will also participate in the launch of Frito-Lay North America’s new solar concentrator field at its Modesto manufacturing facility.

“Today’s actions show what we can accomplish when passionate individuals and all levels of government cooperate and work together,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “This is exactly why Earth Day is so very special in California. Our level of commitment to preservation and innovation is unmatched.”

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve is the first to be designated through the California Natural Landmarks program since the Governor signed AB 2900 by Assemblymember George Plescia (R-San Diego) in 2006 creating the program. The goal of this voluntary program is to help preserve the ecological and geographical characteristics of California while helping protect history and natural heritage.

“The first ever California natural landmark is wonderful news,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “Only in California can you see a 40,000-acre natural landmark right in the middle of one of the nation’s most vibrant and economically important urban areas.”

The Frito-Lay North America project will be the largest solar thermal system in the country. Today marks the completion of the first half of the company’s plan to install 54,000 square feet of solar thermal on a five-acre field. Once the second half of the project is completed in July, the 192 panels will produce enough heat for the plant’s boiler to produce 145,000 bags of SunChips a day. The project is a public-private partnership with the California Energy Commission providing $700,000 in funds.

“I commend Frito-Lay and the California Energy Commission for working hand-in-hand to build this innovative project,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “The plant will harness the power of Central Valley sunshine to reduce its natural gas use, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions—all while helping us meet our renewable energy goals.”

Governor Schwarzenegger has led California in establishing laws and policies to protect the environment:

In January 2007, the Governor announced the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation fuels that requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in California. This first-of-its-kind standard firmly establishes sustainable demand for lower-carbon fuels without favoring one fuel over another. To start, the standard will reduce the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10 percent by 2020 and more thereafter.
In September 2006, the Governor signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, California’s landmark bill that established a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The law will reduce carbon emissions in California to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger has also called for the state to reduce carbon emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050.
In September 2006, Gov. Schwarzenegger joined with the Governors of Oregon and Washington to announce an historic partnership and action plan for ocean and coastal resource protection along the Pacific Coast.
In August 2006, the Governor signed his Million Solar Roofs Plan into law, which will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by three million tons, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018.
In October 2004, the Governor introduced his Ocean Action Plan which set forth a vision and a framework for protecting and restoring California's coast and coastal waters.
In September 2004, the Governor established the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, protecting 25 million acres of important and pristine California territory.