December Spotlight: Important Updates on AB 32

Now that the California Air Resources Board has approved the Proposed Scoping Plan, what do local governments need to know?

December 15, 2008

On December 11, 2008, the California Air Resources Board approved California's Proposed Scoping Plan to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020

Development of the Scoping Plan is a central requirement of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Nuñez, Pavley), that requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Local governments should take note of the following Scoping Plan updates and changes, as well as updated reduction measures. (To view the Scoping Plan, go here. To view ICLEI's AB 32 and Local Governments page, go here.)

Scoping Plan Updates & Changes (Based on Public Comments)

Proposed Measures

• Changes to Proposed Policies
• Increased the anticipated reduction of GHG emissions from land use and transportation incorporating regional targets outlined in SB 375
• Recommends local governments set their GHG reduction goal to at least 15% below present levels by 2020
• Greater detail on the proposed cap-and-trade program
  
  

Changes in Emissions Reductions Quantification

• Increased the anticipated reduction of GHG emissions from the Waste Sector
• Proposes increased costs for High Global Warming Potential (GWP) chemicals (i.e. older refrigerants, foam insulation products)
• Modified the anticipated reduction of GHG from the Heavy-Duty Vehicle GHG Emission Reduction Measure and the Tire Inflation Measure
• The Low Carbon Fuel Standard has been discounted by 10% due to overlap with the California Clean Car Law
  
  

Comprehensive List of Reduction Measures Outlined in Final Scoping Plan

Directly Applicable to Local Governments

• Develop a California cap-and-trade program
• Expand energy efficiency programs
• Establish targets for transportation–related GHG emissions
• Support implementation of a high speed rail system
• Expand the use of green building practices
• Increase waste diversion, composting, and commercial recycling towards zero-waste
• Continue water efficiency programs and use cleaner energy sources to move and treat water
• Million Solar Roofs Programs

Indirectly Applicable to Local Governments

• Achieve a statewide renewable energy mix of 33%
• Develop and adopt the Low Carbon Fuel Standard
• Implement vehicle efficiency measures for light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles
• Adopt measures to reduce high global warming potential gases
• Reduce methane emissions at landfills
• Preserve forest sequestration and encourage the use of forest biomass for sustainable energy generation

• Capture of methane through use of manure digester systems at dairies