California to implement strictest emissions standards in U.S.
On Thursday, the California Air Resources Board in a unanimous vote, passed the largest greenhouse emissions plan in the United States. The plan will result in a 15% decrease in emissions over the next 12 years, with the goal to lower them to 1990 levels.
California, which is the world’s eight largest economy and accounts for 1.5% of global emissions, will be implementing widespread regulation of sectors including transportation, building efficiency, landfills, and electricity generation. Among other requirements, one-third of all electricity will be required to be generated from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal.
California has also joined with seven western states and four Canadian provinces to form a regional cap-and-trade system.
Not surprisingly, the plan was opposed by automakers and manufacturers, who argued that it would increase their costs. However, demonstrating that not all businessmen are narrow-minded, a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and executives, including Google CEO Eric Schmidt, endorsed the plan as a means of spurring the California economy.
Gov. Schwarzenegger declared the plan would “unleash the full force of California’s innovation and technology for a healthier planet.”
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