Strong AB 32 Scoping Plan Update Released Monday

Media Releases

Challenge will be defending the forward-looking Plan and crafting practical policies

Environment California

Sacramento – Seven years ago, a bipartisan California Legislature made a clear, strong commitment to tackling climate change by passing the groundbreaking Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). Today, Californians have the opportunity to assess the state’s progress so far and provide input into the Scoping Plan that will direct the implementation of AB 32 for the next five years.

The Scoping Plan, released today by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will be added to the portfolio of policies that comprise AB 32, but not before a public comment period ending March 28. In response, Environment California’s Mac Farrell released the following statement:

“Environment California applauds CARB for staying committed to the original goal of AB 32, which is to bring the state’s greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020. And now, CARB has laid the groundwork for critical greenhouse gas reductions after 2020 with this new Scoping Plan.

“It’s important to note that CARB’s comprehensive approach to ratcheting down climate-changing emissions is even more critical as we start to see the extreme impacts of global warming arriving on our doorstep. Extreme weather events, record temperatures and vanishing snow pack are already becoming the new normal.

“It’s time to do more; and it’s high time for transportation fuels, which account for the single-largest source of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, to become a big part of the solution by participating in the state’s proven Cap-and-Trade Program. The program, which is designed to expand in 2015, will limit greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels, and natural gas, making the program truly economy-wide. 

“The proceeds from the Cap-and-Trade Program are also essential in reducing the impacts of global warming, cleaning up our cars, trucks and buses, advancing the state’s clean energy economy, and protecting public health and disadvantaged communities.”

The updated AB 32 Scoping Plan was drafted with input from local and state agencies, environmental and community groups and stakeholders invested in the greenhouse gas regulation process. Environment California is advocating for CARB to keep the AB 32 Scoping Plan strong and on track in the face of likely resistance from interest groups within the fossil fuel industry. 

CARB will collect public comments on the updated Scoping Plan until March 28, and will hold a public meeting in Sacramento on Feb. 20 to discuss the plan publicly.

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Environment California is a state-based, citizen-funded, environmental advocacy organization working toward a cleaner, greener, healthier future.

www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org