California announces plan for big cuts in carbon emissions
Thu 09 February 2006
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California's leaders have announced an agreement that aims to cut CO2 emissions in the state by a quarter by 2020, returning them to the equivalent of 1990 levels.
The agreement between the Democratic-controlled legislature and the Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, could establish controls on the largest industrial sectors, from utilities to oil refineries to cement plants.
California has already placed tight controls on automobile emissions, although these are being challenged in U.S. federal court.
The New York Times reports that political momentum is building in at least eight other US states for controls on greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate change, despite opposition from the Bush administration. Already, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and four New England states have signed an agreement to cut power plant emissions ten percent by 2019.
The first major controls in California are scheduled to begin in 2012. There are incentives built-in to encourage businesses to reach the targets.
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