California Legislature Passes Historic Global Warming Bill

The Assembly passed AB 32 on Thursday by a vote of 46-31. On Wednesday night, the Senate approved the bill, 23-14.

The key provisions of AB 32 will:

- Cap global warming emissions at 1990 levels by 2020 (a 25 percent reduction);

- Establish a mandatory reporting program to the Air Resources Board (ARB) for significant greenhouse gas emissions;

- Require ARB to adopt regulations for significant greenhouse gas emission sources (allowing ARB to design a cap and trade program) and give ARB the authority to enforce the regulations beginning in 2012.

"For years the world has waited for the United States to take action on global warming," said Environment California's Global Warming Advocate Jason Barbose. "Today's vote is a watershed moment in our nation's effort to solve global warming."

Yesterday, in an agreement reached with Asm. Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced his intention to sign into law the nation's first-ever statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

In response, on the Capitol steps on Thursday, a broad coalition of environment, religious and health organizations delivered 30,000 signed postcards, collected by Environment California over the past three months, to Gov. Schwarzenegger in support of state action on global warming.

"The people of California asked for serious action on global warming, and California's leaders have delivered, setting a precedent for other states and nations to follow," added Barbose. "We would like to thank the Legislature, especially Asm. Speaker Fabian Nunez and Asm. Fran Pavley, for their tremendous leadership."