Pavley's global warming bill on verge of becoming new law

Assemblymember Fran Pavley Final language for legislation aimed at curbing global warming was met with approval in Sacramento and is expected to be passed into law shortly.

Assembly Bill 32, authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nñez (D-Los Angeles) calls for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the state's large industrial producers.

Last week the California Global Warming Solutions Act received the blessing of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the majority leaders of both houses.

"The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 takes the first bold steps needed to create the technology and regulations we need to reduce carbon emissions and slow global warming," Nñez said. "It has taken a generation to understand that global warming is a real threat to people and our economy. It is now up to our generation to work to solve this crisis."

The law takes a number of significant steps over a 14-year time frame to reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels-an approximately 25 percent reduction in the gases that cause accelerated global warming. The law also:

+Requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations Jan. 1, 2008 that explain how emissions will be reported by the large emitters of greenhouse gases.

+Allows CARB to adopt regulations on the use of market mechanisms to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions.

+Requires CARB to adopt regulations governing voluntary emissions reductions and to give credit to the big greenhouse gas emitters such as power plants, oil refineries and cement factories that take action early.

In 2002 Pavley helped pass a landmark law that reduced emissions from cars and light trucks sold in the state.