California Dreamin'

California, the wealthiest, most populous state in the Union, could become the first to enact legislation setting firm limits on all greenhouse gas emissions. According to the New York Times, a bill introduced in the Assembly "requires that emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to global warming be reduced by 145 million tons, or 25 percent less than the current forecast, by 2020. That would bring the emissions back to the 1990 level." The legislation accompanies a separate 1,300-page report drawn up by advisors to Governor Schwarzenegger on a plan for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. While not yet clear whether the Governor is in accord with the details of the bill (or the plan of his advisors for that matter), the emissions targets match those set by Schwarzenegger in an executive decree he made last year.

The Times notes that California is a trend-setter in pollution controls, with many states tending to follow its lead. The Bush administration, by contrast, has steadfastly declined to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and has actively opposed a California law aimed at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks. Ten other states, however, have moved to adopt the higher standard. Environmentalists hope that California and other states will provide the leadership on global warming that the White House has abdicated.