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Provides guidelines to help local governments reduce GHG
emissions. 

Release 09-52
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2009
	  	  	
Stanley Young
916-322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov

ARB rolls out local government 'toolkit' to help cut climate
change emissions, save money

'One-stop shop' provides action plan guidance, funding sources

SACRAMENTO - Today the California Air Resources Board approved a
toolkit to help local governments reduce costs and aid in meeting
the state's ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The toolkit, found at www.CoolCalifornia.org, provides details
on how cities and counties can implement climate friendly
actions, success stories, climate action planning tips and a list
of available financial resources.

"Local governments are uniquely equipped to cut climate change
emissions," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Their broad
authority to control local activities that contribute emissions
make them essential partners in reaching the state's climate
change goals."

The toolkit gives guidance to local governments so they can take
action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Suggested actions
include:

    * Reduce emissions from municipal operations;
    * Realize cost-savings from emission reduction strategies;
    * Set policies for reductions at the community level;
    * Estimate carbon emissions;
    * Use available climate action templates;
    * Replicate local government success stories; and,
    * Use networking opportunities to partner with others. 

Through the toolkit, local governments can learn from case
studies and how to successfully implement opportunities such as
more walkable communities, purchasing power from renewable
sources and instituting energy retrofits for city- and
county-owned buildings.

In the next year, ARB staff will work with local governments to
test-drive the toolkit and develop additional guidance.

A small business toolkit was approved by the Board in April.

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. California is the first
state in the nation to formally approve a comprehensive
greenhouse gas 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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