Govenor marks third year of AB 32 signing

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday commemorated the third anniversary of the signing of the world's first comprehensive law to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

 Since AB 32 was signed, the state's efforts to engage other states and countries such as China in the fight against climate change and the need for a global solution to this global problem.

 "Every year it becomes more apparent that no single issue threatens the health and prosperity of our world, ... and that is why California has stepped up to take the lead.
 Three years ago I signed the world's most comprehensive global warming law and since then our emissions have been reduced, our green economy has grown and our policies have influenced the world," said Schwarzenegger.

. "But that was only the first step. Global warming is a global problem that requires a global solution and I am committed to working toward that solution so our children and grandchildren are left with a clean environment and a strong economy."

AB 32, according to the govenor's office,  mandates a reduction of the state's GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and calls for an 80 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050.

 Three years after AB 32, the state has also approved an AB 32 Scoping Plan as a blueprint for reducing GHG emissions, adopted measures from the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to the Pavley Vehicle Standards to address 40 percent of its overall goals and is working on more than 20 additional measures such as a cap-and-trade system to fully meet AB 32 mandates.

 Last week, Schwarzenegger took another major step forward toward reducing GHG emissions when he signed Executive Order S-21-09, directing the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations increasing California's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 33 percent by 2020 - putting the state on track to becoming the largest clean energy producer in the nation.

 In the last three years, more than $6 billion in venture capital has been pumped into California's economy, making us the national leader in the number of clean businesses. Green jobs have also skyrocketed, growing 10 times faster in California than in other areas.