Two California Bills Mandate Significant Greenhouse Gas Reductions
July 28th, 2015 by Fiedler Group
In early June the Senate passed two bills — SB 32 and SB 350 — that if signed into law may have a significant impact on California’s future.
SB 32 — led by Senator Pavley of Agoura Hills — gives the California Air Resources Board (CARB) the authority to mandate drastic greenhouse gas emission reductions to a level 80 percent less than 1990 levels by the year 2050.
In 2006, AB 32 was passed and implemented a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. This was equivalent to a 30 percent reduction in emissions at the time.
While the Senate is adopting a more aggressive stance on climate change, California businesses have met the new regulations with opposition citing a lack of conclusive results for the original AB 32 bill, before a more aggressive bill with the same timeline was passed.
The second bill — SB 350 — was authored by Senator de Leon of Los Angeles and provides complete authority to CARB to adopt regulations, standards, and specifications in order to further reduce the use of petroleum in vehicles by 50 percent, by the year 2030.
What’s more SB 350 also intends to increase the current Renewable Portfolio standard to 50 percent (from 33 percent) in addition to increasing energy efficiency in buildings to 50 percent.
While it is clear that California, along with the rest of the nation, must adopt more efficient energy standards, there is concern regarding the level of authority that CARB might have on the reduction of petroleum reliance and what measures will be taken to reduce petroleum use.
As most California businesses and residents currently rely on petroleum-fueled vehicles, critics weigh if CARB will mandate a reduction of petroleum production statewide, or if other alternative energy solutions will be proposed.
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