"I shall not have FReepers snickering about Global Warming! .... I was almost president, ya know!"
Posted on 07/18/2006 10:09:18 AM PDT by calcowgirl
Schwarzenegger wants power to fight global warming
The governor calls for a reduction in California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a powerful new centralized authority under his direct control that would be charged with implementing one of the nation's most far-reaching initiatives to curb global warming.
Schwarzenegger has submitted his plan to various interests negotiating legislation that would map California's route toward a gradual rollback of greenhouse gas emissions, blamed for global warming, to 1990 levels by 2020, a potential 25 percent reduction.
Schwarzenegger's hand-picked Climate Action Board also would carry the authority to delay the 2020 deadline if regulations prove too punitive toward business.
"It's essential that an emission reduction system have an economic safety valve to ensure the plan protects public health and the environment, is technologically feasible and is not detrimental to the California economy," said Linda Adams, the governor's negotiator.
Environmentalists say they are sorting through the governor's proposal to cut greenhouse gases, identified by some scientists as a prime contributor to global warming.
Most of those involved say a legislative consensus is within reach later this summer, spurred in part by a series of recent warnings from various quarters, including Schwarzenegger's own water department and Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla.
"The core elements of the bill -- mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and enforceable limits on greenhouse gas pollution -- have fairly strong support," said Karen Douglas, a negotiator for Environmental Defense, one of the country's largest environmental advocacy groups.
Many researchers say global warming, left unchecked, could drain water supplies and dry out forests, adding new wrinkles in California's perpetual debate over building reservoirs and managing timber. The pollution-caused phenomenon, linked by some to climatic disruptions around the world, could put food supplies at risk, bring deadly floods and sicken scores of people.
"California, without question, has a responsibility to address climate change," said Adams, secretary of the state Environmental Protection Agency.
"We must do our share to protect our public health, our water supply, our coastline and industry."
California, a global economic power that ranks 12th in the world in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, must lead the way, the governor and legislative leaders agree.
Key elements of the governor's proposed amendments to Assembly Bill 32 include:
• The policy-setting Climate Action Board would be made up almost exclusively of the governor's top agency chiefs.Some industry officials have been urging rejection of California-only regulations, insisting that the state's agenda is too aggressive.
• Much of the oversight responsibility would be distributed throughout various departments that would be assigned to monitor specific industries.
• The new board would establish by June 1, 2008, a set of still unspecified reduction goals in 2012 and 2016 to ensure progress toward the 2020 target.
• Industry could secure a reprieve if the 2020 reduction level proves to be harmful to the state's economy.
• Business would be given compliance options, including buying credit for reducing emissions elsewhere in the state if on-site cuts are not feasible or if the administration's future studies find that the rules cost jobs.
They say mandatory limits will burden the state's economy with higher costs and more regulation.
Producers could move out of state or offshore, leading to even more emissions in regions where controls are lax, whether it be in India or Indiana.
"This is a global issue, not a California issue," insisted Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce. "What makes you think that if you drive up the price of energy and fuel you're going to create jobs in California?"
Refiners have weighed in as well, claiming that they would have to reduce production by 17 percent to meet the proposed standards -- the equivalent of shutting down three plants at a time of tighter supplies and spiking prices at the pump.
But Stanford University economist James L. Sweeney maintains that the net effect of new regulation will be small, whether positive or negative.
Caps with incentives could reduce emissions "without any significant damage to the economy if you design the rules of the game well," he said.
Schwarzenegger has long recognized the overall threat posed by global warming, but he has been cautious given his business-friendly approach to environmental issues.
He has issued an executive order calling for reductions in greenhouse gases and signed legislation that requires automakers to bring to the market less-polluting cars by the 2009 model year.
Schwarzenegger has set aside $30 million for at least 15 positions -- from the Public Utilities Commission to the Waste Management Board -- dedicated to taking on global warming issues.
His new budget includes another $1 million for a five-member legal team to defend the state against challenges to regulations.
He should refrain from making speeches about it!
"Many researchers say global warming, left unchecked, could drain water supplies and dry out forests, adding new wrinkles in California's perpetual debate over building reservoirs and managing timber."
Ooooooooooooooh kay.
You got your CARB and now your CAB..
I guess 'blowing up da boxes' is bad for the environment in California these days.. and may actually contribute to global warming. Yeah, that's it!
The facts on Global Warming are in, yaknow.
I have come to detest election years more and more, for some reason. What a muddled mess of choices are presented w/ a multitude of smoke and mirrors & snake oil pitches .
He want's the special power ? Well the only way to get it is to meet Algore out in the jungle where Algore will perform a secret ritual to bestow the power to fight Global Warming upon the Governer .
Everything Arnold knows about global warming he learned from watching movies (probably Al Gore's).
How does this differ from what Phil the Dweeb would do?
His new budget includes another $1 million for a five-member legal team to defend the state against challenges to regulations.Too bad the State wouldn't invest in appealing Prop 187, or better defending Prop 22-Marriage, or prosecution of the Energy Crisis manipulators.
Green is the new state flag color,, on one side anyway, rainbow on the other. have to have your priorities 'straight'.
What an idiot.
The only workable solution would be to drive jobs out of California.
Maybe not much different. But Arnold can call it "bipartisan" as he joins the greens (and attempts to silence all GOP opposition).
Arnie and his in-laws, the Kennedy's, could all "think globally and act locally" by destroying and recycling their private jets and flying coach class.
What's that? Arnie wants to fight "global warming" by taking away things from the little people.
How unusual!
California continues in the avant-garde.
geez, the job description for Governor of California sure changes fast when you aren't paying attention!
AS: Relieve Traffic Congestion - I will seek to implement innovative, market-based and means of reducing congestion on California's highways - including congestion pricing, eliminating congestion-causing toll booths when they can easily be replaced by technology, and similar measures.CO: Note: He wants to do all sorts of things to reduce traffic congestion EXCEPT build new roads for a state whose population has risen 50% since the last major highway expansion. Congestion produces air pollution and wastes fuel Arnold. Doesn't that sound like Gray Davis? This isn't innovative; it's more of the same.
How much of Prop 1B, the "Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006" ($20 Billion in Transportation Bonds) will go to this kind of effort, instead of roads? Answer: A HUGE chunk.
For real or as a movie plot?
Is that why the stuff I write drives people crazy?
:-)
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