How Is California Government Responding to Climate Change?
California government has made major strides recently in seeking to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The state’s Energy Action Plan recognizes that energy conservation and efficiency helps to minimize the need for new generation, reduces toxic air pollutants and lowers California’s emissions of greenhouse gases. In November 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger teamed up with the governors of Washington and Oregon on the Western Governors’ Global Warming Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the region. In December 2004, the governor signed Executive Order S-20-04 and issued a Green Building Action Plan (40 kb, PDF) requiring increased energy efficiency for state-owned buildings and encouraging local governments and private businesses to reduce their energy use.
