from Grist:
In arguably the biggest step ever taken in the U.S. to fight global
warming, California's political leaders reached a deal yesterday to
reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in the state 25 percent by 2020. Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) pledged to sign Assembly Bill 32, under which
the California Air Resources Board will set emissions limits for
various industries beginning in 2012, and will have the authority to
choose whether to institute an emissions-trading system. The bill will
give the governor power to lift emissions caps for up to one year under
"extraordinary circumstances." The deal emerged after intense
negotiations, and reactions were as expected: greens were satisfied but
wished controls had been more stringent; business leaders were ticked
off. Schwarzenegger, who's loudly touting his green credentials in his
reelection campaign this year, proclaimed, "The success of our system
will be an example for other states and nations to follow as the fight
against climate change continues." Hint, hint.
sources:
Sacramento Bee
Los Angeles Times
San Francisco Chronicle
Environment is center stage in California governor's race