Facts About Assembly Bill 32
California Global Warming Solutions Act
Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) establishes a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases (GHG). AB 32 makes the Air Resources Board (ARB) responsible for monitoring and reducing GHG emissions and continues the existing Climate Action Team (CAT) to coordinate statewide efforts.
Requires ARB to:
- Establish a statewide GHG emissions cap for 2020, based on 1990 emissions by January 1, 2008.
- Adopt mandatory reporting rules for significant sources of greenhouse gases by January 1, 2008.
- Adopt a plan by January 1, 2009 indicating how emission reductions will be achieved from significant GHG sources via regulations, market mechanisms and other actions.
- Adopt regulations by January 1, 2011 to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions in GHGs, including provisions for using both market mechanisms and alternative compliance mechanisms.
- Convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee and an Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee to advise ARB.
- Ensure public notice and opportunity for comment for all ARB actions.
- Prior to imposing any mandates or authorizing market mechanisms, requires ARB to evaluate several factors, including but not limited to: impacts on California’s economy, the environment, and public health; equity between regulated entities; electricity reliability, conformance with other environmental laws, and to ensure that the rules do not disproportionately impact low-income communities.
- Adopt a list of discrete, early action measures by July 1, 2007 that can be implemented before January 1, 2010 and adopt such measures.
| Implementation Timeline | |
|---|---|
| September 27, 2006 | AB 32 signed by Governor |
| January 25, 2007 | ARB creates Environmental Justice and Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committees |
| June 21, 2007 | ARB adopts first list of early action measures |
| October 25, 2007 | ARB adopts augmented list of early action measures |
| December 6, 2007 | ARB adopts Mandatory Reporting regulations for greenhouse gases and sets Target for 2020 greenhouse gas emissions |
| December 2007 | ARB adopts 1st discrete early action measure |
| December 12, 2008 | ARB approves AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan |
| April 23, 2009 | ARB adopts Low Carbon Fuel Standard |
| May 22, 2009 | ARB and Cal/EPA create the Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee to advise on Cap-and-Trade Program |
| June 25, 2009 | ARB adopts last discrete early action measure |
| 2009 - 2010 | ARB and other agencies develop and adopt greenhouse gas rules and programs |
| January 1, 2010 | Early action measures take effect |
| November 2010 | ARB public hearing on Cap-and-Trade regulation |
| January 1, 2012 | All greenhouse gas rules take effect |
For More Information
Visit the California Air Resources Board’s Climate Change Program website at: /climatechange. For more information or to obtain this document in an alternative format or language please contact the ARB’s Helpline at (800) 242-4450. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.