Posted on 03/02/2009 9:28:43 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — Even during this deep recession, California's air-quality regulators are on an accelerated schedule to adopt a series of global warming initiatives considered unmatched worldwide.
Their aggressive push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming will eventually touch everyday life in both small and significant ways.
Just Thursday, the state Air Resources Board moved to regulate fluorinated gases commonly used by the Silicon Valley-centered semiconductor industry to make chips used in cell phones and computers.
A few weeks earlier, do-it-yourself mechanics were the target. Regulators adopted tighter rules on small cans of refrigerants that recharge vehicle air conditioners, potentially adding $1 to each can starting next year. To encourage recycling, regulators also imposed a refundable $10-per-can deposit – a leak of just 12 ounces produces as much greenhouse gas as a car burning 50 gallons of gas.
Even more regulations are on the way, practically every month for the next two years.
Among the measures under review: fees on gas-guzzling vehicles, taxes on energy producers, rebates for junking old refrigerators, automatic tire pressure checks during smog checks and oil changes, and cleaner fuels for home heating and cooling.
The agenda also includes the nation's first program to reduce the carbon content in transportation fuels, launching a business-friendly trading market for emission credits, and continuing the state's campaign to cut tailpipe emissions.
The 65 pending initiatives, when coupled with several others that have been adopted, could eliminate as much as 125 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually starting in 2020. With 33.5 million vehicles registered, the state estimates that cutting 1 million tons of emissions is equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road for a year.
But at what price? In this sour economy, many of those affected – automakers, small businesses and smokestack industries – are struggling to keep their doors open, much less invest in clean technology.
“When is a good time to do this?” said Sandra Berg, a member of the Air Resources Board. “There's always an opportunity to put things off. The reality is we need to tackle this issue now.”
Berg, president of Ellis Paint Co. in Los Angeles, said the board is purposely phasing in regulations to delay the steepest costs for when the economy rebounds. “It is an unsettling time,” she said.
Nevertheless, she said putting off curbing emissions and cutting energy consumption will increase the threat of global warming, weaken clean-air efforts and add to the toll that pollution takes on public health. “Then, for sure, we implode,” Berg said.
Many businesses are not convinced, particularly because the final bill remains a mystery.
“There needs to be an economic analysis done so we know the regulation is the most cost-effective and technologically feasible,” said Shelly Sullivan, representing a coalition of business groups.
The measures will help implement the state's landmark plan to cut 174 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, an approximately 25 percent reduction from 1990 levels.
Supporters of the strategy, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, warn that global warming could disrupt climatic patterns. That would bring longer droughts, increase the frequency and intensity of forest fires and imperil wildlife.
Rather than a drag on the economy, some see the regulations as an ignition switch for job-creating technologies.
“This is the playbook on how to rebuild our economy,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, a climate change specialist for Environment California, an advocacy group.
San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts, an air board member, said he has visited companies on the verge of breakthroughs that will benefit the economy and the environment.
“We've had successes,” Roberts said.
Also, the programs will do more than help curb global warming, he said.
“There are ancillary benefits, for sure – energy independence, reduction in other pollutants,” Roberts said.
Some Republican legislators are skeptical. The air board's overall policy recently survived a challenge by GOP lawmakers, who were using the state budget stalemate to wring environmental concessions out of Democrats, including weakening the global warming campaign.
Sen. Robert Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, has introduced legislation, SB 295, to freeze implementation until the state's unemployment rate – edging above 10 percent in January – dips below 5.8 percent.
Roberts said regulators are always willing to revisit programs if the economic toll is too high. But industry has not presented enough “compelling evidence” to slow progress, he said.
This year, regulators will wrap up about 15 programs by the end of the year, and a dozen measures in 2010. About 30 others either have been approved or are being developed. Still others are considered benign enough to be voluntary. Implementation dates are generally phased in, with the key deadline for compliance centered on 2020.
Several programs are much more far-reaching, controversial and complex than others. For example, regulators will struggle for some time to develop a “cap and trade” program that has divided businesses and environmentalists.
Such a policy would reward low-polluting companies with emissions credits that they can then sell on an open market to industries that cannot readily curb discharges.
While most of the global warming regulations are subject to air board approval, some also fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies, such as the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission.
Save the planet. Destroy mankind.
There’s probably no better example of what I call “the fourth branch” of government....the administrative branch that few ever talk about. You know, the bldg dept when you want to add on to your home, the school district that sneaks special assessments into your prop tax bill. The CA Air Resources Board will be the death of all CA industry. You can take that one to the bank.
These idiots have been on board since this insanity started. Their chickens are now coming home to roost. Serves them right.
idiots.
Emissions Control has Little Impact on Climate
Bush kept these enviroregulators in check (as much as possible). Obama will unleash them.
These people are idiots working hard to deindustrialize California. Who will stand against the environazis?
Such a policy would reward low-polluting companies with emissions credits that they can then sell on an open market to industries that cannot readily curb discharges.
Yeah...company’s like kite and bicycle makers?
Maybe they should change their name to the California Jobs Transfer Board.
The rules also encourage smuggling for forbidden items or highly taxed items.
Bush kept these enviroregulators in check (as much as possible).
Correction:
Obama HAS unleashed them.
Maybe. In California they 9the CARB CA Air Resources Bd) has absolutely astounding, unchecked power. Totally serious. It’s the same pattern as the legislature, ignoring any shred of common sense, coming out with feel- good rulings based upon nothing whatsoever, no testing, no calculations, no real world experience at all. After the smoke clears, Californians find themselves with onerous restrictions that nobody would have supported if there were any regard to bottom line effects.
Example #1: The MTBE gasoline oxygenate additive deal. This resulted in probably the single greatest, widespread, and persistent episode of groundwater pollution in the history of the US. Think 5000 Love Canals. Billions and billions in dig-up remediation of older gas stations.
Example #2: Mandate of new “clean” diesel engines. This will result in roughly a 10% MPG reduction and force the obsolescence of between 30,000 and 50,000 diesel engines statewide.
These things throw thousands of businesses out of business.
Is it possible that California could declare bankruptcy? Or fall apart? Or dissolve? Perhaps San Diego County could become it’s own state?
The flight of people from California will do more to lower their greenhouse emissions than anything else. Before long, there will just be a few idiots in trees defending them from no one. Can you say Don Quixote?
“125 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually starting in 2020”
Sounds like a lot doesn’t it? What they don’t tell you is how many tons of CO2 are already in the air and what a miniscule fraction 125 million tons is!!
There are 3 million billion (3x10^15) tons of CO2 in the atmosphere, so 125 million tons corresponds to 0.041666667 millionth of what’s already there. To put it in perspective, it’s the same as the impact on your wealth if you had 100 million dollars in the bank and getting an extra 4 cents a year!!!
They also don’t talk about the impact that this reduction on CO2 would have on the earth’s temperature. Even using their models, it’s so small as to be undetectable even using our most accurate measuring devices.
A couple of places where the impact will definitely be measurable will be in your wallet and your loss of freedom.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Note that the so-called experts quoted about the economic impact of these programs are not economists.
Not to mention all economic activity. Nothing less than the complete depopulation of California can solve the problem.
It has come to the point where we can only hunker down in our bunkers to survive this storm. Then emerge later, fully armed and ready to fight.
Only consolation is, our enemy is their own worst enemy. If we let them eat up all of their future reserves, they will eventually run out of sources and starve themselves to death.
As industry closes or leaves, and smart Conservative Americans find a way to protect their money and assets, the Democrats will eventually run out of hosts to parasitically feed off of.
Sometimes it is smart to give up ground in order to lure the enemy out beyond their ability to support themselves. That strategy was brilliantly illustrated during WW2 on the Russian front. This maybe our best strategy this time around, since the MSM, ignorant public, etc, is so against us right now.
Stock up, keep your powder dry and in large supply. Eat well, stay strong, healthy in body, spirit and mind. This is how we will eventually win.
God speed to you Brother in Arms....
This only goes to prove why people are leaving California by the truckloads and why businesses are leaving the state in droves and slamming that door behind them. Theyre fed up with the way they are treated by the state and I dont blame em one itsy bit.
And they raise taxes again on those who stay, and the more they leave. And the more they leave the more they raise taxes.
And the more they raise taxes, the more they leave. this is what is referred to as the mirror of infinity. (insanity to some.)
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