How will California meet its goal to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020? It’s so glad you asked. On Wednesday, the state Air Resources Board released an update to its draft proposal for cutting emissions. The updated plan adds in analysis related to newly signed laws that discourage sprawl and encourage green jobs, as well as California’s agreement, as a member of the Western Climate Initiative, to initiate a cap-and-trade program. The plan, which will be perused for final approval in December, includes measures to boost energy efficiency, renewable energy, low-carbon fuels, high-speed rail, emissions reduction at ports — oh, and the economy. Declares ARB Chair Mary Nichols, “Our comprehensive approach steers California away from its dependence on fossil fuels and accelerates the state’s necessary transition toward a clean-energy future.”
