CA: Hard choices for governor: 2 new bills on warming (AB 1012 and SB 1368)

Sacramento -- After cutting a deal with Democrats on historic legislation to cap greenhouse gas emissions in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces decisions this month on two other bills that could dramatically reduce pollution from the auto and energy industries -- the state's two largest contributors to global warming.

With much less fanfare than for the global warming bill, which Schwarzenegger is expected to sign next Wednesday, Democratic majorities in the state Senate and Assembly approved legislation that would require half of the cars sold in the state to run on alternative fuels by 2020 and another bill that would prohibit California utilities from buying electricity generated by high-polluting power plants in other states.

Lawmakers describe the bills as mandating specific changes that will be needed to meet the governor's overall goal of reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 25 percent by 2020. Opponents of the legislation say the bills are impractical, will cost Californians money and illustrate how profoundly the reductions could affect the economy.

"We are, it seems, in an era of great expectations for our energy and transportation fuels,'' said Tupper Hull, a spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association, which opposes both bills. "But any economist will tell you that when you try and distort market forces, you run into trouble -- mainly higher prices.''

Schwarzenegger has not indicated whether he will sign either bill, but environmentalists argue the governor should approve both if he is serious about reducing California's contribution to global warming.

AB1012 requires the state Air Resources Board to adopt regulations that will require half of all new cars and light trucks sold in the state to be powered by clean-burning fuels.

SB1368 would prohibit utilities in the state from buying electricity from high-polluting power plants.

Excellent! A double whammy of higher prices and state mandated energy shortages for California energy consumers.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

2 posted on 09/21/2006 9:38:01 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)

Do you think the gUb will feel obliged to sign these two bills being as it is a given he will sign AB 32?

or will sanity prevail?

3 posted on 09/21/2006 9:52:36 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ......Help the "Pendleton 8' and families -- http://www.freerepublic.com/~normsrevenge/)

SB1368 would prohibit utilities in the state from buying electricity from high-polluting power plants

Lol...Another California energy crisis in the works!
.

4 posted on 09/21/2006 10:23:46 AM PDT by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)

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