The following are the main features of the proposed California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which will be voted and most likely approved in the state legislature by Thursday.
California is ready to enact the toughest legislation in the United States to tackle global warming after Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and top Democrats agreed Wednesday on a landmark bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions.
The following are the main features of the proposed California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which will be voted and most likely approved in the state legislature by Thursday.
- California, the world's 12th largest producer of greenhouse gases, will cap emissions at 1990 levels by 2020, approximately a 25 percent reduction.
- By 2008, the California Air Resources Board will begin requiring reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by the biggest polluters.
- By 2011, the state will set greenhouse gas emissions limits and reduction measures to go into effect in 2012. Failure to comply will lead to penalties.
- The state board is allowed to draw up market mechanisms to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions, including carbon credit trading.
- The governor can halt implementation of regulations for up to one year in the event of "extraordinary circumstances" like a natural disaster or economic crisis.
Source: Reuters
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