California, six other Western states and four Canadian provinces launched plans on Wednesday for one of the world's largest carbon-trading systems, a sweeping effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
(07-24) 04:00 PDT Sacramento - --
The North American program, like a similar market-based system in
Europe, focuses on heavy polluters such as electric utilities, oil
refineries and large industrial and commercial facilities. Environmental groups immediately questioned whether the plan will
be tough enough on polluters, while industry groups said the program
lacks details. !ADVERTISEMENT! California officials said the proposal will be an integral part of
the Golden State's ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
by 30 percent by 2020, as required by the landmark legislation AB32
that the Legislature approved and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed in
2006. "We very much believe this supports California's own plan to grow
the economy and protect the environment," said Linda Adams, secretary
of the California Environmental Protection Agency. The draft plan is a key component of the Western Climate Initiative,
a partnership created in February 2007 among the governors of
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington to curb global
warming. Article Continues: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/23/BAF511TSGO.DTL&tsp=1
California, six other Western states and four Canadian provinces
launched plans on Wednesday for one of the world's largest
carbon-trading systems, a sweeping effort to cut greenhouse gas
emissions that contribute to global warming.
