Gov. Brown Announces Aggressive Emissions Targets
On April 29, Governor Brown issued an executive order
establishing an aggressive target for California to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by
the year 2030. The Governor views this action as an interim
step toward later attaining an 80 percent greenhouse gas
emissions reduction by 2050.
The state is currently working toward reducing greenhouse gas
emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020 under the existing
cap and trade program established by the Air Resources Board
(ARB) to implement the California Global Warming Solutions
Act, which was signed into law in 2006.
Some Ag Council members are required to participate in
the existing cap and trade program, and we are concerned
about this goal outlined by Governor Brown as we are still
learning about the impacts of the existing climate change
regulatory program.
In the Legislature, Ag Council opposes SB 32 by Senator
Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to
80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. SB 32 was approved by
the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 29 and
is under consideration in the Committee on Appropriations.
Ag Council supports AB 21 by Assemblyman Perea (D-Fresno)
directing the ARB to recommend a 2030 target for cost-
effective statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions
to the Legislature and the Governor by Jan. 1, 2018 and
consult with other state agencies regarding energy efficiency
and electrification of the transportation system. AB 21 passed
the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on April 28 and
is awaiting a hearing in the Committee on Appropriations.
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