Governor Davis Signs Historic Global Warming Bill

AB 1493 Positions California, Again, as Environmental Leader

Decisive Action Praised by Environmental, Business Leaders

LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO - July 22, 2002

Governor Gray Davis today signed landmark legislation to combat global warming, putting California at the forefront of a worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gases.

"This is the first law in America to substantively address the greatest environmental challenge of the21st century," Gov. Davis said. "In time, every state - and hopefully every country - will act to protect future generations from the threat of global warming. For California, that time is now."

Assembly Bill 1493, authored by Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), requires the California Air Resources Board to develop carbon pollution (greenhouse gas) standards for vehicles in model year 2009 and beyond. The standards will apply to automakers' fleet averages, rather than each individual vehicle, and carmakers will be able to partially achieve the standards by reducing pollution from non-auto sources (e.g. factories, etc.). Californians will continue to choose and purchase vehicles of their choice.

"The technology is available. It's affordable. And it's widely utilized in other countries," Gov. Davis said. "We're merely asking business to do what business does best: innovate, compete, find solutions to problems and do it in a way that strengthens the economy.

"Opponents of this bill say the sky is falling," the Governor continued. "But they said it about unleaded gasoline. They said it about catalytic converters. They said it about seat belts and air bags. But the sky is not falling. It's just getting a whole lot cleaner."

The most common form of greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). Most of California's CO2 comes from transportation and almost 40 percent is from passenger vehicles.

"This legislation is based four-square on sound science," Gov. Davis said. "Global warming is no longer a theory. It's an urgent reality."

Gov. Davis has a solid record of protecting and enhancing California's spectacular environment. Said Sierra Club President Carl Pope: "Without a leader at the top with courage and vision, AB 1493 would not be reality. That leader is Governor Gray Davis. Today California is leading the nation and the world and showing that we can address our environmental problems and keep our economy strong. We can and we must do this."

Business leaders also applauded today's signing. "California business is happy to see AB 1493 signed," said Bob Epstein, co-founder of Sybase, in Dublin, Calif., and the business group Environmental Entrepreneurs. "We believe that a healthy environment and a stable climate is in the best interest of all California businesses. This bill will extend the extraordinary track record of the California Environmental Protection Agency safeguarding our environment."

"I am extraordinarily proud of Governor Davis for standing up to enormous pressure from the auto industry and oil companies who waged war against this bill. Today is another giant step toward cleaner air for all Californians and serves as a model for our country to follow," said Assemblymember Fran Pavley, author of AB 1493.

Many myths have developed about what California's new law requires. Governor Davis made clear that AB 1493 will not impose new vehicle or gasoline taxes and will not limit miles driven or require smaller, lighter or slower vehicles. Nor will it limit SUV, mini-van or any other type of vehicle ownership.

"Some of the technology to reduce carbon pollution is already in use today on vehicles you can buy from your local dealership," Gov. Davis said. "These technologies are as simple as smoother rolling tires and wheels, some as innovative as advanced transmissions or hybrid drives. The bill I've signed directs the ARB to consider the overall costs of these technologies. In any case, the ARB will be setting the standards, but the carmakers will decide what specific technologies to use."

CO2 and other greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere and trap increasing amounts of the sun's heat. As a result, climates change and weather patterns become more unpredictable with greater variations between cold snaps and heat waves.

"You don't have to look far to see where California could be affected by global warming," Gov. Davis observed. "From our seaside communities to our low-lying agricultural land to the Tracy pumps that send fresh water south, we could be affected by a relatively small rise in sea level. The Department of Water Resources tells me that California's snowpack, our state's greatest natural reservoir, is already less reliable than it was just a few decades ago. We know the costs if we don't act.

"Acting decisively and showing leadership is what California has always done. That is what we are doing today with a law that will benefit all of us here today as well as our children and their children who may be born decades from now. We don't often have a chance to vote for or sign a bill we are positive will be remembered long after we are gone. We can be sure we will have earned the gratitude of Californians and other Americans who will follow us," Gov. Davis concluded.

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