California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Tuesday signed three greenhouse gas (GHG) measures into law and his press spokespeople confirmed that he plans to sign a fourth measure Wednesday — the state’s historic “Global Warming Solutions Act” (AB 32). Schwarzenegger signed SB 107, AB 1925, and SB 1686 that deal with renewable goals, industrial carbon capturing, and forest management to reduce GHG emissions, respectively.

SB 107 officially establishes in law the renewable portfolio standard goal of 20% by 2010. AB 1925 requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to study and make recommendations on future capturing/storing of industrial carbon dioxide. And SB 1686 authorizes the state Wildlife Conservation Board to take account of the potential that forests hold for reducing or sequestering GHG emissions.

Repeating his conclusions expressed almost 18 months ago that the “science is clear,” Schwarzenegger repeated his often-used statement that “the global warming debate is over.” Now, he said, the state has “the responsibility to act.” The three bills he signed into law — along with his signing of AB 32 the next day — will help California reduce GHG and “continue our leadership on protecting the environment.”

For AB 32, Schwarzenegger’s press office said there will be signing ceremonies in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, a clear indicator that Schwarzenegger and his political advisers think this is a major outcome from this year’s legislature with the governor and a number of state lawmakers up for reelection in November. One of the major supporters of the legislation, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), was expected to “share the stage” with the governor and legislative leaders.

Despite big business interests lining up against the measure, and some critics nationally calling it “eco-suicide,” Schwarzenegger has backed the bill since provisions for the eventual creation of a competitive emissions credit trading market were included in the legislation.

NRDC and other AB 32 backers, including the Silicon Valley’s major business interests, are touting the new legislation as the “first in the nation to set statewide limits on carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants that cause global warming.” Schwarzenegger has seized the legislation as a means of stimulating the economy — developing new energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies — and reducing the state’s emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

Opponents claim the new law is complex, will be challenged in the courts and creates too many added costs. NRDC and the other backers are preparing to explain “the nuts and bolts” of a carbon market with arcane features such as allowances, trading and offsets. It still has not been determined how the new law’s requirements will be phased in through 2012.

The California Air Resources Board has most of the implementation authority, including the establishment of new government boards and units that don’t now exist.

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