California Leads on Warming (more crippling Enviro Laws)

NEW YORK TIMES ^ | August 5, 2006 | EDITORIAL

[calcowgirl]

(snip)

And California is about to get a lot tougher. Later this month, the Legislature will vote on two ground-breaking bills. One would set binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of reducing them to 1990 levels by 2020 — an ambitious undertaking by any measure.

The other is a strikingly original bill that would bar long-term contracts with any out-of-state utility that failed to meet strict standards for pollution. A coal-fired plant in Wyoming, for instance, could sell power into California only if it found ways to dispose of most of its carbon dioxide, instead of merely venting it into the atmosphere. A bill like this would not only help California meet its targets but could also help jump-start clean-coal technologies that will be essential to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in countries like China and India.

For good measure, the Legislature will entertain two more warming-related bills, and Californians will be asked to vote in November on a ballot initiative that would raise $4 billion to promote alternative fuels.

All of this is may be too ambitious even for environmentally conscious Californians. But a recent poll by the Public Policy Institute of California found that two-thirds of the state’s voters supported an aggressive attack on global warming. And while Mr. Schwarzenegger’s re-election chances will clearly benefit from appealing to these voters, this is a genuinely bipartisan effort of the sort that has completely eluded Congress.

Moreover, California has long enjoyed taking the lead on environmental issues and bringing other states with it. Four years ago, Mr. Schwarzenegger signed the so-called Pavley bill aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Though the law has been challenged by the automobile companies and the Bush administration, 10 other states have adopted similar legislation.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

And when Californians complain about high gas prices the NYT will then blame the evil Bush/oil companies.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Meanwhile, in France, a farmer is arrested for making his own fuel and driving on French roads w/o paying taxes on the fuel.

[tried to post, can't even exerpt]

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1214520.ece

[calcowgirl]

Hopefully this SB 1368 that they mention (barring long-term contracts with out-of-state utilities) will get vetoed--it is really ugly!
The Chamber of Commerce labeled it a "job killer" so there may be hope.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_1368&sess=CUR&house=B&author=perata

[bboop]

California leads on warming because there is more hot air spewing out of the libs here than in most of the rest of the world/country.

[Moral Hazard]

"The other is a strikingly original bill that would bar long-term contracts with any out-of-state utility that failed to meet strict standards for pollution."

Last I heard it was the Federal government's constitutional role to regulate interstate commerce. I have a tough time believing such a law wouldn't be thrown out in court.

[Texan5]

The companies that leave California in the business un-friendly "climate" that will create can come right on down here to Texas, bringing their jobs with them...

[InABunkerUnderSF]

The solutions to lowering carbon emissions in California are quite simple

1. More Nukes!
2. More hydro power.
3. Stop the invasion from the south and don't grant drivers licenses to people who can't prove they belong here.

BTW, it hit 65 here yesterday and it looks like another foggy one today.

[Jeff Chandler]

Any state can regulate who it signs contracts with. California depends on a string of natural gas fired power plants built in Arizona. Burning natural gas produces carbon dioxide. Refusing to sign longterm contracts for power produced by these plants will result in skyrocketing utility costs when spot market prices go up. As a matter of fact, failure to procure longterm energy contracts is what caused the California blackouts a few years ago, and here they might actually codify that kind of folly!

[Pontiac]

One would set binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of reducing them to 1990 levels by 2020 — an ambitious (and stupid) undertaking by any measure.

Do the Dimocrats in California think they live in a vacuum or what. Do they think industry has to stay in California.

The other is a strikingly original bill that would bar long-term contracts with any out-of-state utility that failed to meet strict standards for pollution. A coal-fired plant in Wyoming, for instance, could sell power into California only if it found ways to dispose of most of its carbon dioxide, instead of merely venting it into the atmosphere.

Another way to push up the cost of electricity in California.

If these laws pass any Freeper in California should put their house on the market and flee with all possible speed. The California economy is going to fold like a cheap umbrella in a strong wind.

[The Electrician]

this is a genuinely bipartisan effort of the sort that has completely eluded Congress

Sounds like a mutual suicide pact to me... Has California forgotten their recent energy crises? They are about to create another self-inflicted wound...

[Popocatapetl]

I'm surprised that corporations in California haven't already made things abundantly clear to the State legislature. That is, be just as coercive to them.

"Unless the legislature repeals this new law within 72 hours, for one day we will discontinue service for the entire State."

Think of how many corporations could totally shut down California unless they got their way? California can't compel them to provide goods and services.

The utilities, the gasoline companies, the refineries, the groceries, etc., etc.

"Enough of this foolishness. Either you act reasonably, or we are going to fight back."

[Thalos]

Nukes are bad because they sound bad. Oooo... nuke... Hydro power destroys rivers. Wind power chops up birds. Don't you know the only solution is to go back to the bronze age? Stop driving, turn off all the compu

[calcowgirl]

Some of the California utility companies apparently favor this, presumably because limiting supply results in more demand for their product. Here is a list of supporters/opponents of SB 1368:

 Support 
          American Lung Association
          California Coastal Protection Network
          California League of Conservation Voters
          Calpine
          Clean Power Campaign
          Coalition for Clean Air
          Environment California
          Environmental Defense
          Environmental Entrepreneurs
          Natural Resources Defense Council
          Pacific Gas and Electric
          Planning and Conservation League 
          Sierra Club California
          TURN
          Union of Concerned Scientists

Opposition 
          California Municipal Utilities Association
          Center for Energy and Economic Development
          Sempra Energy
          Sustainable Environment & Economy for California

[mugs99]

Californians will be asked to vote in November on a ballot initiative that would raise $4 billion to promote alternative fuels

ROFL!!!
More money for Hollywood!
.

[DoughtyOne]

We are already at a huge competitive disadvantage with third world nations due to salary inequities. Now they want us to clean up our air while places like China dirty theirs exponentially.

This is an excellent idea, only if you want to drive California to the bottom of the economic scale.

The New York Times must have hired all the staff from the media of the old Soviet Union. This is first rate propaganda ladies and gentlemen.

[mugs99]

As a matter of fact, failure to procure longterm energy contracts is what caused the California blackouts a few years ago, and here they might actually codify that kind of folly!

LOL!
How can this be? Arnie promised us no more black outs if he were elected!
.

[brazzaville]

Good afternoon.
"The companies that leave California in the business un-friendly "climate" that will create can come right on down here to Texas, bringing their jobs with them..."

Careful what you wish for, FRiend. Those companies would bring many Californians and they would try to make Texas just like the place they left.

Michael Frazier

[calcowgirl]

I think the old Soviet propagandists have been spread out pretty well. They're driving the new Clinton Foundation, Al Gore's global warming movie-making, most of the MSM channels, the NRDC and Sierra Club... and they seen to have plenty of fellow travelers in Sacramento. Quite a machine they have gathered.

[Texan5]

So true-it has happened before, but the transplants usually either decide they like the cheaper cost of living and freedom from the environazis and become Texans-or they move to the liberal island of Austin...