The State of California
The State of California
Population: 36,553,215 (2007)
GHG Emissions: 469 million MtCO2e
(average 2002-2004)
Targets and Goals
In 2005, Gov. Schwarzenegger set aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets 1990 levels by 2020. He directed the California Environmental Protection Agency to lead a Climate Action Team to coordinate the state's various ongoing climate change programs and make further reduction recommendations. In 2008, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed those targets into law.
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Núñez, Chapter 488, Statuses of 2006), also known as AB 32, establishes a comprehensive program to achieve real, quantifiable, and cost-effective reductions in global warming pollution. AB 32 requires that greenhouse gas emissions from all sources statewide be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has estimated that in 2020 emissions must be reduced by 169 million metric tonnes from business as usual levels, or about 28 percent. As required by AB 32, CARB has proposed a plan for how to achieve the emission reductions
Top Actions
Energy Efficiency
- Energy savings targets: In July 2008, the California Public
Utility Commission (CPUC) redoubled its own energy savings efforts
by establishing new targets for energy savings for the years 2012
through 2020 for its regulated utilities. Within Investor Owned
Utility (IOU) service areas these goals are expected to save over
4,500 megawatts, the equivalent of over 9 major power plants, and
over 16,000 GWh of electricity savings and 620 million therms.
Combined with recent goal-setting by the State's publicly-owned
utilities under AB 2021, these goals provide an aggressive
contribution to statewide energy savings targeted under AB
32.
- "Big Bold strategies": On September 18, 2008, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted the California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan which includes four "Big Bold strategies" as cornerstones for significant energy savings with widespread benefit for all Californians:
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- All new residential construction will be zero net energy by 2020
- All new commercial construction will be zero net energy by 2030
- The Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry will be re-shaped to deliver maximum performance HVAC systems
- All eligible low-income customers will have an opportunity to
participate in the Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) program and
will be provided all cost- effective energy efficiency measures in
their residences by 2020
- Green Building Initiative: The State and Consumer Services
Agency (SCSA) oversees implementation of the Governor's Green
Building Initiative to increase energy efficiency in state
facilities 20 percent by 2015, promoting the use of green energy
technologies to further conserve resources and reduce greenhouse
gases associated with power production.
- Building and Appliance Efficiency Standards: Californias building efficiency standards and energy efficient appliance standards have saved more than US$56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs since 1978. It is estimated the standards will save an additional US$23 billion by 2013. California has the lowest electricity use per person in the nation. While the United States increased per capita electricity consumption by nearly 50 percent over the past 30 years, Californias per capita electricity use remained almost flat, demonstrating the success of a variety of cutting-edge energy efficiency programs and cost-effective building and appliance efficiency standards.
Renewable Energy
- California Solar Initiative: Gov. Schwarzenegger
introduced the Million Solar Roofs Initiative which was adopted by
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2005, and
expanded by legislation he signed in 2006. The California Solar
Initiative is a joint program of the CPUC and the Energy
Commission. The added use of solar power is expected to reduce
emissions as much as 3 million metric tonnes per year by
2020.
- Renewable Portfolio Standard: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and Energy Commission coordinate the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which calls for more energy to come from clean, renewable sources such as wind and sun. In 2003, the Governor called for an acceleration of the RPS to 20 percent by 2010 rather than 2017, a full seven years earlier than statute. In 2005, the Governor called for an acceleration of the RPS to 33 percent by 2020. In November 2008, the Governor issued an executive order establishing the Renewable Portfolio Standard target for California that requires all retail sellers of electricity to serve 33 percent of their load with renewable energy by 2020 (Executive Order S 14 08).
Transportation
- Automobile Regulation (Assembly Bill 1493 - Pavley): In
September 2004 the ARBs Board adopted regulations to reduce
greenhouse gases (GHG) from new passenger vehicles starting in
2009. These regulations were authorized by the 2002 legislation
Assembly Bill 1493 (Pavley, Chapter 200, Statues of 2002).
The regulations would reduce GHG emissions from California new
passenger vehicles by about 22 percent by 2012 and about 30 percent
by 2016. The ability to enforce the regulations is pending the
granting of a waiver by the U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act.
- Low Carbon Fuel Standard: Gov. Schwarzenegger issued an
Executive Order in January of 2007 calling for a per cent reduction
in the carbon content of the states transportation fuels. The
first-in-the-world standard, to be designed and adopted by the Air
Resources Board (ARB), is expected to reduce greenhouse gases by 15
million metric tonnes in 2020 and decrease our dependency on
petroleum.
- California Hydrogen Highway Network: The California Hydrogen
Highway Network (CaH2Net) is the Governors vision to build a
network of hydrogen fueling stations, linked conveniently
throughout the state. Hydrogen is a clean source of power for cars,
trucks and buses and can be made from renewable sources of energy
like wind and solar.
- Goods Movement Action Plan: Cal/EPA and the Business,
Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH) produced a Goods Movement
Action Plan to recommend strategies to reduce emissions from the
movement of goods. Working together, the two agencies issued a
blueprint for action to develop solutions that benefit both the
economy and the environment. In addition, ARB has set a goal of
reducing diesel pollution from ports and other sources 85 percent
by 2020 from 2000 levels.
- Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Emission Reduction Program: As a follow up to the in-use idling airborne toxic control measure (ATCM) adopted on July 22, 2004, the Air Resources Board, on October 20, 2005, approved a regulatory measure to further reduce emissions of toxics and criteria pollutants by limiting idling of new and in-use sleeper berth equipped diesel trucks. Starting January 1, 2008, sleeper berth vehicles are no longer allowed to idle during periods of sleep and rest.
Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use Policy
- Forest Resource Management: The California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is working to improve forest
management practices in order to reduce the threat of wildfires,
drought and disease to the states forested landscapes. Using best
forestry management practices helps increase the storage of carbon,
a main greenhouse gas, in the woody parts of trees. In addition,
CDF manages a program to plant urban forests, helping to provide
shade and cooling in metropolitan areas, while also capturing
carbon. CDF is also working to turn forest waste into alternative
fuels and clean energy.
- Food and Agriculture: The Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is developing strategies to reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from livestock, and sequester carbon stored in crops through more responsible tilling of the land. CDFA is also working with farmers to create a viable market for waste and other agriculture byproducts by turning it into energy and other types of alternative fuels.
Waste Management
- Waste Diversion and Recycling: The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) met its goal to reduce the states waste by 50 percent last year, through recycling and reuse. By keeping more waste out of landfills, officials expect to reduce greenhouse gases by 3 million metric tonnes per year by 2010.
Market Based Mechanisms and Fiscal Measures
- Western Climate Initiative (WCI): On February 26, 2007 Governor Schwarzenegger announced the agreement with Western States to reduce greenhouse gases. The Western Climate Initiative is a collaboration of seven U.S. governors and four Canadian Premiers with the objective of reducing GHG emissions 15 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020 and developing multi-sector, market-based mechanisms including a regional cap and trade program to achieve that goal.
Legislative Measures
- The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 establishes a comprehensive program to achieve real, quantifiable, and cost-effective reductions in GHGs.
Key Links and Contacts
California Climate Change Portal
California Legislation and Governors Executive Orders on Climate Change