May 1, 2008

Implementing AB 32:
California’s Pathbreaking Climate Change Legislation

In 2006, California enacted AB 32: the California Global Warming Solutions Act, the first law mandating economy-wide greenhouse gas emission reductions in the United States. Principal responsibility for implementing the Act was given to the California Air Resources Board (CARB). To implement the Act, CARB has already adopted mandatory greenhouse gas emission reporting requirements and published a list of “early action” greenhouse gas emission reduction measures. CARB is now developing regulations and other implementation strategies. Currently CARB is engaged in one of its most important responsibilities: to issue by January 1, 2009, a Scoping Plan for achieving the mandated goal of reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

California’s actions to achieve AB 32’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions likely will be models for federal, regional, and state actions across the nation. The procedures AB 32 has established for implementing the Act are remarkable for their diversity and creativity. They provide that all stakeholders have direct and usually multiple opportunities to be involved in the standard-setting process. CARB is being advised by an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, and has already received reports from a Market Advisory Committee and an Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee. CARB holds workshops on almost a weekly basis with respect to some aspect of its implementation program.

The panel provided an up-to-the-minute report on CARB’s implementation of AB 32 by the Chief of CARB’s Climate Change Office and highlight key implementation issues from the perspectives of the state, the environmental community, and the private sector.

Panelists:

Kristin Grenfell, Energy Program Attorney, NRDC
Kevin Poloncarz, Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP
Rick Rothman, Chair, Environmental Group, Bingham McCutchen LLP
Chuck Shulock, Chief, Climate Change Office, California Air Resources Board

Please click here for more information on the
Understanding Climate Change Law seminar series.