California plan would cut emissions 30% by 2020
mongabay.com
June 27, 2008
California announced a plan to reduce state greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020.
The measures include a cap and trade program covering 85 percent of the state’s emissions, incentives for utilities to generate electricity from renewable sources, funding for a high-speed rail, deployment of a massive solar power initiative, and new building codes to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. The proposal calls for laws that could require oil companies to make cleaner domestically produced fuels and car companies to offer less polluting and more efficient cars and trucks.
“With the release of this draft scoping plan, California is once again blazing a trail to lead other states and the nation to address climate change,” said Mary Nichols, Chairman of the Air Resources Board, the California agency that drafted the plan. “Our economy and our society face no greater threat than global warming. This draft plan is the roadmap to move us quickly to a cleaner, more sustainable future, energy independence and a healthier environment. This plan fulfills the Governor’s determination to act now, and it is based on the conviction that Californians will rise to the challenge and develop creative solutions to improve our environment and grow our economy.”
The California Air Resources Board said the plan will support the growth of the cleantech sector and create thousands of new jobs. The agency estimates the initiative would reduce annual emissions per capita from 14 tons today to 10 tons of carbon dioxide by 2020.
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