Schwarzenegger Signs Global Warming Bill

Posted on September 27, 2006

Today California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law groundbreaking legislation to fight global warming.

Standing on picturesque Treasure Island with San Francisco's skyline in the background, Schwarzenegger called the fight against global warming one of the most important issues of modern times. "We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late," Schwarzenegger said during an address before signing the bill. Mayor Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. George Pataki, as well as Democratic legislators, joined Schwarzenegger for the high-profile ceremony. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who struck a deal with Schwarzenegger over the summer to develop clean technologies, joined the ceremony via video link. (AP) California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger listens to a question during his first news conference in... Full Image Blair called the bill-signing "a proud day for political leadership" and "a historic day for the rest of the world, as well."
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It imposes a first-in-the-nation emissions cap on utilities, refineries and manufacturing plants in a bid to curb the gases that scientists blame for warming the Earth. Two years ago, a state board adopted tight regulations on automobile tailpipe emissions, an initiative that is being challenged in federal court by automakers.
Schwarzenegger also was expected to sign a second Democrat-sponsored global warming bill with consequences beyond the state's borders. That bill will prohibit California's large utilities and corporations from entering long-term power contracts with suppliers whose electricity sources do not meet the state's greenhouse gas emission standards. The measure by Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata is intended to force coal plants in the western U.S. to install cleaner technologies.

So goes California, so goes the rest of the nation. California has the seventh largest economy in the world; if it won't do business with coal plants that don't use clean technologies, those coal plants will have to change. It's interesting to see who's gotten behind Schwarzenegger on this initiative: Warren Buffett, Tony Blair and New York governor Pataki (who has his eye on the White House in 2008) are all backing the governor in his efforts.