Schwarzenegger signs bills
to curb greenhouse emissions

Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Ari Burack, Bay City News Service

September 27, 2006

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Tuesday announced the signing of three bills designed to increase the state's usage of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ahead of his expected signing this week of Assembly Bill 32, first-of-its-kind legislation to limit California's greenhouse gas emissions.

Tuesday's signings included Senate Bill 107, introduced by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, which will increase the amount of renewable energy purchased by state energy companies.

SB 107 requires that by 2010, investor-owned utility companies such as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison buy 20 percent of their energy from clean, renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power. The previous 20-percent deadline had been 2017.

The bill received support from the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the California League of Conservation Voters, among others.

"SB 107 ensures that California will take action sooner rather than later,'' Simitian said in a news release.

"Renewable energy not only helps our environment, but also helps to ensure an adequate supply of affordable energy by diversifying our energy portfolio. The energy crisis proved how risky it is to keep all of our 'energy eggs' in one basket,'' he said.

Schwarzenegger also announced the signing of AB 1925, requiring the California Energy Commission to pursue recommendations for capturing and storing industrial carbon dioxide; and SB 1686, authorizing the Wildlife Conservation Board to factor in the potential of forestlands to abate greenhouse gases for proposed land acquisitions.

AB 32 would require that by 2020, California greenhouse gas emissions be limited to 1990 levels in the state.

"The science is clear. The global warming debate is over. We have a responsibility to act now,'' Schwarzenegger said in a prepared statement.

"These bills, along with (AB 32), will help California reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue our leadership on protecting the environment,'' he said.

The governor is scheduled to sign AB 32 at a ceremony today at 10:45 a.m. on Treasure Island.

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