04/22/2009 GAAS:190:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Highlights California’s Environmental Leadership and Innovation on Earth Day
Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will participate in three events
to commemorate Earth Day and highlight California's environmental leadership.
First, he will join Wal-Mart officials in Los Angeles to announce the expansion
of its solar power program in California. Wal-Mart will be adding solar panels
on 10 to 20 additional Wal-Mart facilities, generating 20 to 22 MW of renewable
energy - the equivalent of powering more than 2,600 homes.
"All over the state we are harnessing the power of the famous California
sun and creating energy that is pollution free," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"This project is all about taking bold action so we can see solar panels on
commercial rooftops all across California while putting people to work. Today's
action helps prove that even in an economic downturn, it is possible to get
serious about clean, renewable energy.
Following Wal-Mart's solar panel announcement, he will attend the
opening of the Cool Globes exhibit in
Los Angeles, a public art project consisting of 60 giant globes that illustrate
simple ways for individuals to take action against global warming.
The Governor will then appear in Pleasanton to plant the one millionth
tree as part of the Shaklee Corporation's Million Trees-Million Dreams Campaign.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness of global climate change by
planting trees all over North America. If planted in one location, one million
trees could cover all of Disneyland 18 times over.
"Here in California, we take the spirit of Earth Day and we live it every
day," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am thrilled to be celebrating our
environment and our planet today by shining a spotlight on the Cool Globes
exhibit and planting this one millionth tree."
Governor Schwarzenegger has taken action to make California a national
and world leader in the fight against global warming and some of his most
significant actions are below:
- In 2008, the Governor committed to expanding the state's already ambitious Renewable Energy Standard to 33 percent renewable power by 2020.
- In 2007, the Governor announced the world's first Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation fuels that requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in California. To start, the standard will reduce the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10 percent by 2020 and more thereafter.
- In 2006, the Governor signed AB 32, landmark legislation that aims to reduce California's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, and in 2008, California Air Resources Board adopted the roadmap to get there - the AB 32 Scoping Plan.
- In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger launched his Million Solar Roofs Initiative to provide additional clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now known as the California Solar Initiative, the $3.3 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by 2017. In January, the Public Utilities Commission issued a report showing that Californians installed twice as many megawatts of solar power than the year before, and that demand for new solar projects continues to hit record levels.
- In October 2004, the Governor introduced his Ocean Action Plan which set forth a vision and a framework for protecting and restoring California's coast and coastal waters.
- In September 2004, the Governor established the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, protecting 25 million acres of important and pristine California territory.
