Pavley strikes again at global warming

LOUISE RISHOFF Special to The Aoorn NEW LAW-Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneg- ger, above center, signs Assembly Bill 32 into law, making it manda- tory for the state's biggest polluters to reduce their green- house gas emissions by 25 percent in the year 2020. Co-author Fran Pavley, third from left above, also wrote landmark legislation that curbed auto emissions. Assemblymember Fran Pavley celebrated the signing of her second landmark global warming bill, AB 32, in signing ceremonies last week in San Fran- cisco and in her home district, at Pepperdine University in Malibu.

The bill requires the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emis-

sions by approximately 25 per- cent by 2020 and calls for the mandatory reporting of emissions from significant greenhouse gas producers.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nñez, who co-wrote the bill, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarz- enegger and dozens of political, business and environmental lead- ers attended the signings.

"I am very proud that this leg- islation is the first in the country to cap greenhouse gas emissions," said Pavley, an Agoura Hills resi- dent and former Agoura Hills mayor. "I hope that our represen- tatives in Washington, D.C. are taking note, because it is past time for our nation as a whole to take action to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming."

Fran Pavley AB 32 requires the California Air Resources Board to complete an inventory of greenhouse gases produced in the state, to set up a mandatory reporting system, and to develop and implement regu- lations that will help the state reach the 2020 emissions cap.

The bill also includes strong provisions for enforcement and allows for the use of market mechanisms to achieve the cap.

Great Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared by satellite and told audiences that the bill's effects "will echo around the world."

In 2002 Pavley helped pass a landmark law that reduced emis- sions from cars and light trucks sold in the state. "I believe that next year you will see climate legislation all over the country that is similar to California's," Pavley said.