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Posts Tagged ‘environmental damage’

AB-32 Scoping Plan Beneficial

February 1st, 2010 No comments

In 2006, the California state legislature, prompted by Gov. Schwarzenegger, passed landmark legislation, entitled the Global Warming Solutions Act. Code-named AB-32, the legislation sought to implement stringent restrictions on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that major organizations could emit within state borders. The legislation had a lengthy ramp up period before displaying any real “teeth” but this preliminary journey is almost complete.

At the beginning of 2009, California’s AB 32 scoping plan was approved by the state legislature. As expected, a cap and trade program is to be implemented at the beginning of 2012 and this will have far-reaching implications for companies affected. Those in this position must fully understand what their compliance will require as market-based mechanisms, under the cap and trade program, will force them to make an overall reduction in carbon emissions.

The AB-32 scoping plan recognizes the value of voluntary efforts and this is a significant achievement for the renewable energy lobbying regime. The state recognizes that voluntary renewable energy generation can also help to reduce the levels of greenhouse gas emissions and this effort will be given appropriate value under the cap and trade program.

While the Global Warming Solutions Act was seen as far ahead of its time in 2006, a lot has changed since then. We are now even more aware of the damage caused to our world by excess energy use and while the Act still has its detractors, acceptance has grown.

Renewable energy purchases made by individual entities, if on a voluntary basis, can be classified and applied to responsibilities under the cap and trade program. Utility companies are being pushed to purchase renewable energy and incentives are also in place for solar power solutions.

Credit for voluntary action is now a crucial component of the AB-32 scoping plan and it has been lauded as recognizing the value of private investments in renewable energy. As only approximately 5% of our energy use comes from renewable sources, every effort must be made to encourage its adoption and the revised legislation goes a long way to help this.

If businesses can see that, by purchasing renewable energy certificates under the AB-32 scoping plan, they can reduce their environmental footprint then this could further buoy the renewable energy market. Trading within the voluntary Chicago Climate Exchange, still the United States only real climate cap and trade system, often includes such purchases and registration.

As of January 1, 2010, those organizations that opted to take early action to reduce their emissions are now prompted to do so. The full cap and trade system will come into force at the beginning of 2012.

Daniel Stouffer has much more data about Ab 32 scoping and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.

California Carbon Emission Legislation Strengthens

January 30th, 2010 No comments

The beginning of the new year marked a milestone for the controversial California carbon emission legislation, initially enacted in 2006. The Global Warming Solutions Act, code-named AB 32, took a step forward when the state board adopted regulations to implement a number of discrete early action greenhouse gas emission reduction steps.

The California Air Resource Board adopted a scoping plan in 2009, with the aim of helping the state to reach “technologically feasible and cost-effective” reductions. In 2020, it is proposed that a 25% reduction in emissions is achieved, as compared to the baseline year of 1990.

When the California carbon emission legislation was first passed in 2006 it became the nation’s first economy wide cap on global warming emissions. Not only is the state the most populous in the union, but it is also deemed to have much to lose should climate change be allowed to proceed unabated. The California Climate Change Center demonstrated that should no action be taken, the state will face a future of even poorer air quality (already a problem), a considerable rise in extreme heat events, more frequent and larger wildfires and extreme drought.

The California carbon emission legislation, AB 32, was agreed to and sold to the electorate on the basis of not only environmental potential, but also economic boost to the states. If emission limits were met, it was said that the state’s gross product could rise by up to $74 billion and job creation could result in 89,000 new positions.

California represents the six largest global economy and whenever far-reaching legislation is passed, implications can be far-reaching. When it comes to reining in the activities of business with a more holistic viewpoint in mind, the state has often taken the lead nationwide.

The concept behind California carbon emission legislation as tabled under AB-32 is to cap all greenhouse gas emissions from major industries and to include penalties for noncompliance. The much-maligned market-based compliance mechanisms known as “cap and trade” form the centerpiece of the legislation and organizations within the state must now take every action to understand and get ready for compliance.

The California Air Resource Board approved a scoping plan to help it achieve the targeted greenhouse gas emission reductions through 2020. Some organizations can choose to take advantage of an “early action” emission reduction measure, which is now active. Market-based cap and trade regulations are scheduled to go into the effect at the end of next year.

While California moves ahead, in national terms the loss of Democratic majority in the Senate will likely have far-reaching implications for nationwide climate laws at least during 2010. After the midterm elections we may expect more efforts to introduce a cap and trade program across the USA.

Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information about California carbon emission and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.

AB 32 Law Overcomes Opposition

January 26th, 2010 No comments

The state of California has long taken a strong approach to the issue of global warming and it is understandable that this approach should be met with opposition. California’s stance survived an attempt to overturn the AB 32 law in mid-January when a proposal known as AB 118 was defeated in the state chambers.

AB 32 was originally signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger and at that time had many opponents, although the governor was firm that this was the only way that the state could move forward, thereby setting the tone for nationwide discussions on the subject.

Since the global warming law was enacted in California, a lot of companies have invested in technology required to conform and have retooled their organizations as they prepare for gradual introduction of regulations. AB 32 is known as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and its aim is to cut California’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 25% through the year 2020.

Responsible for implementing AB 32, the California Air Resource Board is spearheading the state’s answer to global warming. The reporting rules are paving the way for mandatory market mechanisms and so-called alternative compliance proposals, all aimed to ensure that reductions are maximized.

The opposition has been active in trying to defeat the AB 32 law, even before its most stringent requirements kick into action, involving mandatory caps in 2012. Environmentalists around the state are celebrating the defeat of the opposition, following the landmark vote in Sacramento.

Geography will play a big part in the success of the AB 32 law. California is the country’s most populous state and any successful initiative is likely to have positive impacts on the country’s carbon footprint. However, legislatures tread a fine line and must make sure that AB 32 does not force California-based companies to either leave the state or to outsource, thereby transferring the greenhouse gas problem somewhere else.

While the AB 32 law survived January’s opposition within the California state legislature, it has a long road ahead of it before we can see whether its stipulations and theories result in any tangible gains. The original goals suggested a 25% reduction in carbon emissions as based on 1990 levels by the year 2020 and further, a reduction of as much as 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050.

Emissions from significant sources are intended to be curtailed according to a cap and trade program. In Washington, the Senate is considering a nationwide scheme of similar proportions, but this has concerted opposition and may not survive a rocky passage through the Senate in 2010.

Daniel Stouffer has a great deal of information about the AB 32 law and how a visit to www.verisae.com will be of use to you.