SACRAMENTO – Final language for historic legislation aimed at curbing global warming authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) was introduced today. It is expected to be considered on the Senate floor tonight, where Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) will present the legislation.

“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,” Speaker Núñez 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.”

“I am also very pleased that Governor Schwarzenegger has pledged his support for AB 32,” Speaker Núñez continued.

Assembly Bill 32 takes a number of significant steps over a 14-year time frame to reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels – an approximately 25 percent reduction of gases that cause accelerated global warming.

Significant aspects of AB 32 include:

• Implementing a cap on greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020, approximately a 25% reduction;
  
• Requiring the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations to require reporting of emissions from significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions by Jan. 1, 2008;
  
• Allowing CARB to adopt regulations on the use of market mechanisms to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions, including criteria for these regulations (this includes consideration of adverse environmental impacts and to maximize environmental and economic benefit);
  
• Requiring CARB to adopt regulations governing voluntary emissions reductions and giving credit for early actors;
  
• Authorizing CARB to use a broad range of existing authorities for enforcement of greenhouse gas emission reduction regulations; and,
  
• Creating an emergency provision – in the event of catastrophic circumstances or threat of significant economic harm -- the Governor can halt implementation of regulations for up to one year.