| ASSEMBLYMEMBER IRA RUSKIN 21ST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY DISTRICT For Immediate Release: March 2, 2005 Contact: Peter Hartnett Phone: (916) 319-2021 |
| Assemblymember Ira Ruskin and Controller Steve Westly Announce Kyoto Protocol Standards Legislation for California |
| Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Material, and State Controller Steve Westly announced the introduction of legislation to establish a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions target based on the goals set in the Kyoto Protocol.
Adopted by every industrialized country on earth except the United States and Australia on February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol sets a goal for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 7 percent by 2010 and 10 percent by 2020 based on the 1990 greenhouse gas emission levels. “In the absence of federal leadership on this critical issue, I am determined to see California join the rest of the world in reducing GHG emissions,” Ruskin declared. “I am proud to join with Controller Westly to enact the bill.” The legislation, Assembly Bill 1365, implements the emission standards through the state’s planning document – the Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR) produced by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The United States is the single largest contributor to GHG emissions, representing 25 percent of total GHG emissions in the world. California contributes 1.5 percent of the world GHG emission. Ruskin announced the introduction of AB 1365 at a Joint Hearing of the environmental and resource policy committees of the State Assembly and Senate. |
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| Capitol Office: State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0021 -- (916) 319-2021 -- Fax: (916) 319-2121 |