California’s Governor Jerry Brown yesterday signed into law
the state’s revised cap-and-trade program, AB 398. The action extends and
improves the state’s ambitious and world-leading climate change plan to effect
reductions in greenhouse gases.
Photo: California Governor's website
"California
is leading the world in dealing with a principal existential threat that
humanity faces," said Governor Brown. "We are a nation-state in a
globalizing world and we're having an impact and you're here witnessing one of
the key milestones in turning around this carbonized world into a decarbonized,
sustainable future."
The signing took place on Treasure Island, the same location where former Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state’s original cap-and-trade-program, AB 32
(the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) over 10 years ago. The new program, which
was approved with bipartisan support, is designed to ensure that California reduces
its GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 as required by AB 32.
"Thanks
to bipartisan support California was able to extend its historic cap and trade
program which protects our environment and preserves our nation-leading
economic growth. Governor Brown and legislative leaders from both parties came
together to ensure that California continues to march toward a clean,
prosperous future. I want to especially thank Assembly Republican Leader Chad
Mayes and his Republican colleagues for following in the footsteps of great
Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, who both recognized the
importance of fighting for clean air and water and natural spaces. I hope
politicians around the country can learn from the example set in Sacramento
last week. Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to pass
legislation that helps clean up our environment for our children while at the
same time supporting a booming economy," said former Governor Schwarzenegger.
"As the Trump Administration seeks to undermine our nation's climate
leadership - the world is looking to California. We are proving that growing an
economy and protecting the environment is not an either-or proposition; we can
and will continue to do both. Today's extension of our landmark cap-and-trade
program, coupled with our effective clean energy policies, will move us forward
into the future and we plan to take the rest of the world with us," said
Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León.
