The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) designated the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as the lead agency for its implementation. The next milestone for CARB is developing a Scoping Plan outlining California’s strategy to achieve the 2020 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limit. So on October 15, 2008, CARB published its Climate Change Proposed Scoping Plan: A Framework for Change. The Scoping Plan contains the main strategies California will use to reduce the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Since this plan has the potential to affect just about every sector of California, CARB is seeking the public’s comments. Comments on the Scoping Plan are due no later than December 10, 2008. The Scoping Plan will be presented for approval at the CARB’s December 11, 2008, meeting
The Scoping Plan proposes a comprehensive set of actions designed to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in California. Among the solutions it proposes are “improving our state’s infrastructure, transitioning to cleaner and more secure sources of energy, and adopting 21st century land use planning and development practices.” Moreover, CARB lists as the key elements of its recommendations:
- Establishing targets for transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions for regions throughout California, and pursuing policies and incentives to achieve those targets;
- Developing a California cap-and-trade program that links with other Western Climate Initiative partner programs to create a regional market system; including California’s clean car standards, goods and movement measures, and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard;
- Adopting and implementing measures pursuant to existing State laws and policies,
- Expanding and strengthening existing energy efficiency programs as well as building and appliance standards;
- Achieving a statewide renewables energy mix of 33 percent; and
- Creating targeted fees, including a public goods charge on water use, fees on high global warming potential gases, and a fee to fund the administrative costs of the State’s long term commitment to AB 32 implementation.
Noticeably absent from the Scoping Plan is any mention of airports or aircraft. This is due to the CARB’s perceived inability to do much about airports and aircraft due to FAA’s pre-empting the field. Indeed, about the only mention of airports and aircraft in the AB 32 materials comes in Appendix C of the Draft Scoping Plan:
Emissions from the fuel used in planes is an important consideration, however, the State does not have regulatory authority over aviation. ARB has not identified aviation specific measures; however, successful deployment of High Speed Rail could divert some air passengers to rail.
Draft Proposed Scoping Plan, Appendix C, p. C-21. Nor does the Scoping Plan take the emissions of aircraft have while they are in air.
As a final note, there will be a public hearing on the Scoping Plan on November 20, 2008, in Sacramento, to consider the AB 32 Scoping Plan to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions in California. Click here for the Agenda.