California Considers Sweeping Proposals To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions - KPBS
Mary Serrano test drives an electric Chevy Spark at a smog repair event May 30 in Stockton, Calif. The event connected drivers of high-polluting cars with cap-and-trade funds to help purchase cleaner cars — part of California's 2006 law to combat global warming. Jerry Brown says that those existing greenhouse gas emission goals aren't enough. California lawmakers are intensely debating far-reaching goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The bill contains three proposals: one to double energy efficiency in buildings, one to derive 50 percent of electricity from renewable sources and one head-turning proposal to cut petroleum use in vehicles by half — all in the next 15 years. Now it's doing it again with climate change — and lawmakers say the state's track record gives them confidence to propose much tougher rules. California's previous environmental efforts have included years spent working to make cars run more cleanly. , drivers could check smog pollution and receive repair vouchers — and owners of high-polluting cars were invited to test drive electric vehicles. Funds from California's 9-year-old global warming law currently help people buy them, and there's widespread belief California will meet the 2020 emission reduction goals that law set. Jerry Brown says California's current climate change work isn't enough. Source: www.kpbs.org