Global Warming Bill Clears California Assembly

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Press Contacts:

Jennifer Witherspoon, Environmental Defense: 510.457.2250

(Sacramento, August 31, 2006)  Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the California Global Warming Solutions Act, was approved in California’s state Assembly today on a vote of 46 to 31 and now awaits the signature of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  

“We commend California’s business, faith-based and legislative leaders who made this happen,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense. “By capping emissions in California, world-class entrepreneurs can dispel the myth that reducing global warming emissions will harm our economy. This provides even more momentum for Washington to act – Americans want action on global warming.”

“We’ve reached a tipping point in the fight against global warming,” said Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “The whole world has been watching to see whether California passes this bill, and now the world will watch as California takes the lead in developing a clean energy market. California is an inspiration for all of us. Other states, the nation, and other countries would do well to follow California’s example.”

“California’s action today is a watershed moment in the fight against global warming,” said Jim Marston, a senior attorney for Environmental Defense who heads their efforts to address global warming at the state level. “States must lead in absence of federal action on global warming. It’s no wonder that today 19 states and four former EPA administrators also filed Supreme Court briefs to force the federal government into action on reducing our global warming pollution.”

AB 32 would limit the state’s global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and institute a mandatory emissions reporting system to monitor compliance. AB 32 would also allow for market mechanisms to provide incentives to businesses to reduce emissions while safeguarding local communities.

“We commend California’s legislators for leading in the fight on global warming, especially Assembly Speaker Fabián Nùñez, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland),” said Ann Notthoff, California advocacy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “This legislation gives Governor Schwarzenegger a clear path to market incentives to reduce global warming pollution while protecting California’s communities and environment.”

Environmental Defense and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) are cosponsors of the legislation and have worked along side Assembly authors Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) and Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) to craft and pass the historic global warming legislation.

Now that AB 32 has cleared both state legislative chambers, California is one step away from becoming an even stronger environmental leader.  NRDC and Environmental Defense share one voice in praising lawmakers for their swift action on this critical climate measure.  This is truly the California Legislature’s finest hour.

For more background information on AB 32 please visit: www.solutionsforglobalwarming.com

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 1 million members and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. www.nrdc.org