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To defeat the problem of climate change we need to reduce our
carbon emissions wherever possible. 

Release 09-38
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2009
	  	  	
Leo Kay
916-322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov

ARB unveils 'toolkit' to help small businesses cut greenhouse
gas emissions, save money

'One-stop shop' outlines simple voluntary actions, provides
funding sources and checklists

SACRAMENTO - Today the California Air Resources Board approved a
prototype toolkit that it will begin marketing to the state's 3.4
million small businesses to help them reduce energy costs and
help the state meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emission
reduction goals.

The toolkit, still under development, can be found at
www.CoolCalifornia.org and includes cost-effective actions,
checklists, funding opportunities, success stories and a
calculator that helps business owners voluntarily reduce their
carbon footprint. Also included is a small business award
program.

"Small business owners have shown themselves to be adaptable,
creative and driven - the perfect combination to meet tough
challenges like climate change head-on," said ARB Chairman Mary
D. Nichols. "We hope that everyone from the donut shop owner to
the independent dry cleaner will give the toolkit a test run and
get back to us to let us know what works in the real world and
what needs fixing."

The toolkit was created in response to AB 32, California's
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and the AB32 Scoping Plan
adopted by the ARB in December 2008. The Board directed staff to
create a toolkit to ensure California's small businesses play a
role and benefit from AB 32 emission reduction strategies. ARB
created the toolkit with a spectrum of public input and peer
review, including small business owners, state and local
government, business groups and non-profits.

The main goals of the toolkit are:

    * Emphasize that cost-savings often go hand in hand with
emission reduction strategies;
    * Highlight success stories that can be replicated by other
small business owners;
    * Aid businesses in estimating their carbon footprint;
    * Recognize and award small businesses who demonstrate
climate leadership; and,
    * Provide business to business networking opportunities. 

The toolkit provides specific tips designed to save money and
reduce emissions:

    * Save energy;
    * Drive less and drive clean;
    * Use green energy;
    * Save water;
    * Recycle and cut waste;
    * Buy green;
    * Be a green business; and,
    * Build green. 

ARB is treating the toolkit as a living document and is still
looking for input as part of its continuous improvement. ARB is
committed to working with small businesses across the state to
effectively distribute and implement the toolkit.

A local government toolkit is expected to be considered by the
Board in May.

AB 32 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in
September 2006 and calls on California to reduce its greenhouse
gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The AB 32 Scoping Plan,
adopted in December 2008, made California the first state in the
nation to formally approve a comprehensive greenhouse gas
emission reduction plan that is required under statute and that
involves every sector of the economy.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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