California appears set to become the first state to actively regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Frank at the C.P.R. has more: (By the way, Frank has been doing some excellent work in the last few weeks covering the end of the session.  He’s running himself ragged to get to cover as much as possible in the Capitol.)

The California State Senate has passed greenhouse gas emission reduction bill AB 32 (Nunez/Pavley) by a vote of 23 to 14 with three abstentions. All 23 votes in favor were cast by Democratic Senators and all 14 votes against the measure were cast by Republicans.

Earlier today it was announced by Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, and coauthor Fran Pavley that Governor Schwarzenegger was in support of the message. The Governor has hailed this as a bill he was looking forward to sign.(California Progress Report 8/30/06)

The deal includes an optional cap-and-trade provision, which appears likely to happen along with an escape clause that would allow the governor to unilateraly stop the implimentation of the law based on economic factors:

Schwarzenegger had insisted on creating an escape clause that would allow for a delay in the deadlines in case of a natural or economic disaster. He got that. (SF Chron 8/31/06)

I’m still not sure about whether or not there has been a clear definition of what an economic disaster is; I’ll look into whether there are some restrictions on the governor’s power in that area.

In the end, the legislature worked hard to get as many people as possible on board with the plan. They even got PG&E to give its blessing to the deal.  Ultimately, if people choose to stick their head in the ground and disbelieve good science, there’s nothing we can do. 

Republican State Senator Tom McClintock, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, acknowledged that the climate was in fact warming, but ascribed that to the waxing and waning of the climate cycle and said that the next time we have an ice age, it will go down. He predicted financial ruin for the state and that it would increase the state deficit.(California Progress Report 8/30/06)

If this is a token measure, then so be it.  Somebody has to lead the nation towards a better future.  California has always been that leader and should continue to be so.  We are the worlds’ 5th largest economy, and the effect of our pollution is no trivial matter.  This is a major step towards promoting the reduction of global warming emissions internationally and Speaker Nunez, Assemblywoman Pavley, and Senator Perata should be commended for their work on this bill.