Environmental Protection
Major Accomplishments in 2006-07


CLIMATE CHANGE
 California is recognized as a world leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state is implementing innovative programs, including motor vehicle emission standards, the Renewable Portfolio Standard that requires 20 percent of the state's electricity to be supplied by renewable power by 2010, the California Solar Initiative, energy efficiency standards, and investments in alternative fuels such as the Hydrogen Highway, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions that affect the climate.

In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-3-05 that committed the state to pursue dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The Order directed the Secretary for Environmental Protection to lead a multi-agency Climate Action Team to identify strategies to meet the emission reduction targets. The Climate Action Team issued a report to the Governor and the Legislature in April 2006.

The 2006 Budget Act provides $30.4 million ($1.1 million General Fund and $29.3 million special funds) and 30.5 positions for a coordinated, multi-agency effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Of this amount, $25 million was funded on a one-time basis and $5.4 million is ongoing. Specific activities include implementing early action measures, promoting alternative fuels and zero-emission vehicles, expanding energy efficiency programs, and accelerating the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

On September 27, 2006, the Governor signed the landmark California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32, Nunez and Pavley). The Act requires greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020 and mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. The Act continues the operation of the Climate Action Team, directs the Air Board to implement actions to curb emissions, and authorizes the development of a market-based compliance program.


AIR QUALITY INITIATIVES
  • Clean Transportation - The state's transportation sector depends almost entirely on energy from fossil fuels. Consequently, the state's economic vitality depends on energy supplies from a politically unstable region of the world, and burning fossil fuels generates air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen, have the potential to create a new energy future for California based on reliable and cleaner energy sources. The 2006 Budget Act provides one-time funding of $31.5 million Motor Vehicle Account for incentives for alternative fuels and vehicles. This funding includes $6.5 million to provide matching funds for three publicly accessible hydrogen fueling stations, and will enable the state to leverage federal matching funds for five fuel cell buses for public transit fleets.
  • Carl Moyer Program - The 2006 Budget Act provides $90 million ongoing funding for incentive grants to reduce emissions from heavy-duty, diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. This funding will reduce smog-forming emissions by approximately 4,500 tons, the equivalent of taking over 418,000 cars off the road. Although the Carl Moyer Program achieves emission reductions in a cost-effective manner, diesel school buses have a competitive disadvantage in receiving these grants because they are generally driven twice a day, and therefore do not meet the minimum cost-effectiveness criteria. The 2007 Governor's Budget addresses this problem, as described below in the Low Emission School Buses section.

WATER QUALITY
 Water monitoring provides the information necessary for the State Water Resources Control Board to develop water quality standards and effectively administer water quality programs. According to a recent U.S. EPA report, the state is able to report on the water quality of 22 percent of California's coastal shoreline, 34 percent of its lakes and reservoirs, and 15 percent of its rivers and streams. The 2006 Budget Act provides $8.5 million ($4.5 million ongoing federal funds and $4 million one-time Waste Discharge Permit Fund) to enhance existing water monitoring efforts. These funds will be used to expand the Water Board's own monitoring activities and integrate existing monitoring data collected by state and local agencies into the Water Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
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CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for Environmental Protection Back to Top

image of black pointing arrowMajor Accomplishments in 2006-07
 Proposed Environmental Protection Spending for 2007-08
 Program Enhancements and Other Budget Adjustments
PRINTABLE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Back to Top
Budget Summary - Environmental Protection (pdf * - 68K) -
Provides this entire Environmental Protection Chapter in pdf format.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back to Top
Proposed Budget Detail - Environmental Protection
Displays Proposed Budget Detail information for Environmental Protection.