Posted on 08/10/2006 9:32:35 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to position himself as a leader on climate change while maintaining support from business leaders has created an election-year dilemma that threatens to undermine his environmental credentials.
The Democratic majority in the Legislature plans to send him a bill this month that would create the country's first law capping greenhouse gas emissions from refineries, power plants and other industrial sources. He has asked for several pro-business changes to the bill that Democrats and environmentalists complain would severely weaken it.
Schwarzenegger has made global warming his signature environmental issue and is eager to sign a climate measure before he faces the state's Democratic-leaning electorate in November. It also would be another way for him to set himself apart from President Bush, who has opposed regulating global warming gases and is deeply unpopular in California.
"He hopes to have a bill on his desk this year that he can sign," spokesman Darrel Ng said, "but he wants to make sure it can be in a way that protects the economy and the environment."
At the same time, the Republican governor must tread carefully in the face of criticism from his own party for even considering signing legislation that businesses oppose.
"This noble goal of reducing greenhouse emissions and making energy use more efficient could backfire," said Dorothy Rothrock, a spokeswoman for the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. "It could hurt the economy and drive emissions outside California, thereby not improving the situation."
Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial opponent, Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides, said Wednesday that the changes Schwarzenegger has requested would create only a voluntary plan.
"He's trying to gut this bill so he can claim an election-year victory, and the people of California and the environment will be left holding the bag for yet another broken promise," Angelides said.
A veto on a bill that is likely to be popular with the centrist voters Schwarzenegger needs in November could leave him vulnerable, despite the pro-environment record he has built since becoming governor in 2003.
In June 2005, Schwarzenegger issued an executive order calling for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Last week, when British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited the state, Schwarzenegger signed a pact to have California and Britain work together to research cleaner-burning fuels and technologies.
Democrats say they are taking Schwarzenegger's cue and trying to put his ceremonial orders into law.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, watches Morgan Miles,19, right, a graduate of Salinas High School, remove a piece of wood from a lathe during a woodshop class, during a tour of the Career Technology Vocational Education classroom at Salinas High School in Salinas, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006. Schwarzenegger toured engineering, automotive, agricultural, electrical and carpentry classes at the year-round vocational school. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair share the stage at a news conference at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., Monday, July 31, 2006. Blair and Schwarzenegger joined a group of CEOs and business leaders from California and international companies at a roundtable discussion on how business and government can work together to reduce greenhouse gases and emissions. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
To WHAT end?
Perhaps, he'll sign a bill to have the sun rise in the west, next? He'll have as good a chance as changing the climate. Sheesh.
Arnold has to pander to the left. He already knows he has lost the conservative vote and he does not care.
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Typical.
The entire world is going to hell in a hand basket and old Normie's doggedly staying "on the hunt" for old "eager" Arnold.
There's a good publicist Normie.
Thus proving that Kalifonia is totally hopeless.
Um...Arnold stop drinking the water NOW! Another Rino thru and thru but most of us already knew that.
Pandering politics 101. Totally pathetic.
Yet another Governor Moonbeam.
"The Democratic majority in the Legislature plans to send him a bill this month that would create the country's first law capping greenhouse gas emissions from refineries, power plants and other industrial sources."
Brilliant move. Let the rolling California blackouts begin!
"climate bill?"
we're in the middle of a war, millions of illegals and Lord knows how many terrorists running around the state unabated, gas prices continuing to rise and this muscle head is "eager" to sign a climate bill?
Hey, RINOld, ya might want to turn on the television.
ya know if this clown's brains were dynamite, he couldn't blow his nose!!!
Ahnold can control the climate with a stroke of the pen. Impressive!
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power (in this case, the World Bank), or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
The only way such an agreement can be legitimate is by the treaty power of the Federal government. The Senate voted down Kyoto 98-0. This law is illegal.
To pay off his backers.
If he signs this, I will vote 3rd party for governor and I NEVER vote third party EVER nor advocate it ever.
We don't pay enough for gas and energy in this state? What's this hair-brained scheme going to do to the cost of energy? We've already had huge rate increases on our electric bill. And what of the energy shortages this will create?
And our state isn't already over-regulated enough? We're not already business unfriendly enough? We need to drive out more businesses all because Arnold wants to be liked by Tony Blair? Yeah, let's make California's economy into the anemic or no growth model of Europe's.
And forget "business friendly" provosions. How about some consumer friendly provisions like for instance killing the bill altogether?
And how is one state out of the total land mass of the earth going to make an ounce of difference on global warming, even if you believe the unsupportable position that global warming is man made??
Typical.
The entire world is going to hell in a hand basket and ...
Cbart95 sticks out like a sore thumb attacking the messenger and ignoring the legislation his Gubby so eagerly awaits to sign.
Thanks,
They should cut your pay and give it to some of the other envirowacko sycophants shilling for him and the cause here.
PS.. old is relative,,
much the same for your tiresome comments , never about the topic, just attacking posters.
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