California

Targets and Goals

California has a long history of environmental leadership. For nearly two decades, the state has been working to measure and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger set aggressive GHG reduction targets - 1990 levels by 2020. He directed the California Environmental Protection Agency to lead a Climate Action Team to coordinate the state's various ongoing climate change programs and make further reduction recommendations. In 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed those targets into law.

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Núñez, Chapter 488, Statuses of 2006), also known as AB 32, establishes a comprehensive program to achieve real, quantifiable, and cost-effective reductions in global warming pollution. AB 32 requires that GHG emissions from all sources statewide be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020.  The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has estimated that in 2020 emissions must be reduced by 169 million metric tonnes from business as usual levels, or about 28%. As required by AB 32, CARB has proposed a plan for how to achieve the emission reductions.

 Top Actions

Energy Efficiency

• Energy savings targets: In July 2008, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) redoubled its own energy savings efforts by establishing new targets for energy savings for the years 2012 through 2020 for its regulated utilities. Within Investor Owned Utility (IOU) service areas these goals are expected to save over 4,500 megawatts, the equivalent of over 9 major power plants, and over 16,000 GWh of electricity savings and 620 million therms. Combined with recent goal-setting by the States publicly-owned utilities under AB 2021, these goals provide an aggressive contribution to statewide energy savings targeted under AB 32.
• Big Bold strategies: On September 18, 2008, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted the California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan which includes four Big Bold strategies as cornerstones for significant energy savings with widespread benefit for all Californians:
• • All new residential construction will be zero net energy by 2020
  • All new commercial construction will be zero net energy by 2030
  • The Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry will be re-shaped to deliver maximum performance HVAC systems
  • All eligible low-income customers will have an opportunity to participate in the Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) program and will be provided all cost- effective energy efficiency measures in their residences by 2020
• Green Building Initiative: The State and Consumer Services Agency (SCSA) oversees implementation of the Governor's Green Building Initiative to increase energy efficiency in state facilities 20% by 2015, promoting the use of green energy technologies to further conserve resources and reduce GHGs associated with power production.
• Building and Appliance Efficiency Standards:  California's building efficiency standards and energy efficient appliance standards have saved more than US$56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs since 1978. It is estimated the standards will save an additional US$23 billion by 2013. California has the lowest electricity use per person in the nation. While the United States increased per capita electricity consumption by nearly 50% over the past 30 years, California's per capita electricity use remained almost flat, demonstrating the success of a variety of cutting-edge energy efficiency programs and cost-effective building and appliance efficiency standards.

Renewable Energy

• California Solar Initiative:  Governor Schwarzenegger introduced the Million Solar Roofs Initiative which was adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2005, and expanded by legislation he signed in 2006. The California Solar Initiative is a joint program of the CPUC and the Energy Commission. The added use of solar power is expected to reduce emissions as much as 3 million metric tonnes per year by 2020.
• Renewable Portfolio Standard: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and Energy Commission coordinate the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which calls for more energy to come from clean, renewable sources such as wind and sun. In 2003, the Governor called for an acceleration of the RPS to 20% by 2010 rather than 2017, a full seven years earlier than statute. In 2005, the Governor called for an acceleration of the RPS to 33% by 2020. In November 2008, the Governor issued an executive order establishing the Renewable Portfolio Standard target for California that requires all retail sellers of electricity to serve 33% of their load with renewable energy by 2020 (Executive Order S 14 08).

Clean Transport

• Tailpipe Standards Automobile Regulation (Assembly Bill 1493 - Pavley): In September 2004 the ARB's Board adopted regulations to reduce GHGs from new passenger vehicles starting in 2009. These regulations were authorized by the 2002 legislation Assembly Bill 1493 (Pavley, Chapter 200, Statues of 2002).  The regulations would reduce GHG emissions from California new passenger vehicles by about 22% by 2012 and about 30% by 2016. The ability to enforce the regulations is pending the granting of a waiver by the U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act.
• Low Carbon Fuel Standard: Governor Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order in January of 2007 calling for a 10% reduction in the carbon content of the states transportation fuels. The first-in-the-world standard, to be designed and adopted by the Air Resources Board (ARB), is expected to reduce GHGs by 15 million metric tonnes in 2020 and decrease dependency on petroleum.
• California Hydrogen Highway Network: The California Hydrogen Highway Network (CaH2Net) is the Governor's vision to build a network of hydrogen fueling stations, linked conveniently throughout the state. Hydrogen is a clean source of power for cars, trucks and buses and can be made from renewable sources of energy like wind and solar.
• Goods Movement Action Plan: Cal/EPA and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH) produced a Goods Movement Action Plan to recommend strategies to reduce emissions from the movement of goods. Working together, the two agencies issued a blueprint for action to develop solutions that benefit both the economy and the environment. In addition, ARB has set a goal of reducing diesel pollution from ports and other sources 85% by 2020 from 2000 levels.
• Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Emission Reduction Program: As a follow up to the in-use idling airborne toxic control measure (ATCM) adopted on July 22, 2004, the Air Resources Board, on October 20, 2005, approved a regulatory measure to further reduce emissions of toxics and criteria pollutants by limiting idling of new and in-use sleeper berth equipped diesel trucks. Starting January 1, 2008, sleeper berth vehicles are no longer allowed to idle during periods of sleep and rest.

Sustainable Land Use

• Forest Resource Management:  The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is working to improve forest management practices in order to reduce the threat of wildfires, drought and disease to the state's forested landscapes. Using best forestry management practices helps increase the storage of carbon, a main GHG, in the woody parts of trees. In addition, CDF manages a program to plant urban forests, helping to provide shade and cooling in metropolitan areas, while also capturing carbon. CDF is also working to turn forest waste into alternative fuels and clean energy.
• Food and Agriculture: The Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is developing strategies to reduce methane, a potent GHGs, from livestock, and sequester carbon stored in crops through more responsible tilling of the land. CDFA is also working with farmers to create a viable market for waste and other agriculture byproducts by turning it into energy and other types of alternative fuels.

Waste Management

• Waste Diversion and Recycling: The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) met its goal to divert the state's waste by 50% in 2008, through recycling and reuse. By keeping more waste out of landfills, officials expect to reduce GHGs by 3 million metric tonnes per year by 2010.

Market Based Mechanisms and Fiscal Measures

• Western Climate Initiative (WCI): On February 26, 2007 Governor Schwarzenegger announced the agreement with Western States to reduce GHGs. The Western Climate Initiative is a collaboration of seven U.S. governors and four Canadian Premiers with the objective of reducing GHG emissions 15% below 2005 levels by 2020 and developing multi-sector, market-based mechanisms including a regional cap and trade program to achieve that goal.
• Inputed Cost for Global Warming Pollution: The CPUC requires utilities to use an imputed cost for GHGs in evaluating new long-term resource commitments and in developing their next long-term plans. A GHG adder is to be added to the fossil prices bid in future procurement, to develop a more accurate price comparison between and among fossil, renewable and demand-side bids, for resource commitments greater than five years. The GHG adder is an analytical tool only, which aids in the selection of resources but does not change prices.

Legislation

• The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 establishes a comprehensive program to achieve real, quantifiable, and cost-effective reductions in GHGs.

Contact Information

Climate Change Policy & Climate Action Team

Eileen Tutt
Assistant Secretary for
Climate Change Activities
Calif. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: +1 916-323-2657
climatechange@calepa.ca.gov 

Key links

California Climate Change Portal

California Legislation and Governors Executive Orders on Climate Change

AB 32 Proposed Scoping Plan Document