California Governor Schwarzenegger Applauds U.S. Mayors for Fight against Climate Change

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06/23/2007 -- During his address to more than 200 mayors from across the nation gathered in Los Angeles, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today applauded them for their support in fighting climate change. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has made protecting the climate a central part of its agenda to strengthen the nation.

"Whether it is Mayor Bloomberg using hybrids to create the largest and cleanest fleet of taxis in the world, or Mayor Villaraigosa transforming the L.A. Department of Water and Power to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, your leadership is more important than ever," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "By taking action to make sure the people in your communities are doing their part for the environment, you are sending a powerful message to the federal government and to the rest of the world. And that is exactly what we have been doing in California."

The Governor addressed the Open Plenary Session of the multi-day conference that is being hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"More than 500 mayors have signed the Climate Protection Agreement to meet Kyoto greenhouse gas standards by 2012. And with each new signature you build on our great momentum," continued the Governor.

"Some of the world's biggest companies are also getting on board and they are defying what used to be conventional wisdom. In other words, capitalism, long the alleged enemy of the environment, is today giving new life to the environmental movement. We are growing a whole new economy based on innovation and Clean Tech that will spark billions in new investment and create thousands of great new jobs."

Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 which places an economy-wide cap on greenhouse gas emissions and requires a reduction of emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020. He has also set administrative targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

To fight climate change, California is party to Memorandums of Understanding with other states, nations and Canadian provinces, including: Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Utah, the State of Victoria in Australia, British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba. These agreements are important because they expand markets for clean fuels, cars and emissions credits across borders, allowing emission reductions at the lowest possible cost. California is working with other governments so that reporting, measuring, verifying and emissions markets have consistent protocols. Through the agreements, California is able to share and receive valuable information, such as academic research, effective policy initiatives, best practices and technological innovation.

Governor Schwarzenegger introduced the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in January, which utilizes enforceable standards, market competition and flexible compliance to reduce emissions at the lowest cost and in the most consumer-friendly ways. By 2020, it will require a reduction in the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels of at least 10 percent and is expected to more than triple the size of California's renewable fuels market, displace 20% of California's gasoline consumption with lower carbon fuels and put more than 7 million alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles on its roads without any new government spending.

In May, the Governor hosted an international symposium on the LCFS with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the International Council on Clean Transportation. The event was attended by officials from the federal government, Germany, Belgium, Indonesia, Canada, United Kingdom and Japan to learn more about how the LCFS will be implemented in California and its potential for adoption around the world.

Source: California Governor