California releases global warming plan

By SAMANTHA YOUNG

For California to reach its global warming goals, the country's most populous state must cut greenhouse gas emissions by about four tons per person.

To do that will require a sweeping set of mandates for cleaner cars, more renewable energy and a cap on the state's major polluters, according to a final plan released Wednesday by the California Air Resources Board.

It's the first comprehensive effort of any state to reduce greenhouse gases in the absence of federal regulation and comes as California and the country are facing a financial crisis. Wednesday's final plan, which builds upon a previous draft released in June on ways to meet the state's landmark global warming law signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger two years ago, is scheduled for a board vote in December.

"Despite a difficult economy, it is important that we move forward on our environmental goals, which is why I am pleased that in California we have put together a plan for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions that also boosts our economy," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

The plan will be implemented over the next few years through lengthy regulations that haven't yet been written, so many of the details and impacts remain unknown. An analysis released by the board last month suggested California's economy would grow at a faster rate under the proposed measures than if it did nothing to cut emissions blamed for global warming.Continued...

This is good news. We will be able to preserve our natural resources that is very important in the long run.