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newsrel -- Air Resources Board releases revised analysis of alternatives to the Scoping Plan

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 13:40:13
Release of Supplement begins 45-day public review and comment
period, public workshop planned
. 

California Air Resources Board 
Release #: 11-24
Date: June 13, 2011

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACT:

Stanley Young
916-322-1309
916-956-9409(C)
syoung@arb.ca.gov

Air Resources Board releases revised analysis of alternatives to
the Scoping Plan 
Release begins 45-day public review and comment period, public
workshop planned

SACRAMENTO--Today the California Air Resources Board released a
supplement to the environmental analysis of the Scoping Plan
document of 2008. The Scoping Plan presents a mix of measures and
approaches to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions to
1990 levels by 2020 as required under AB 32, California’s climate
change legislation. 

The Supplement presents a revised analysis of the five
alternatives to the Scoping Plan, including the cap and trade
component, presented in the original environmental analysis (also
known as the ‘Functional Equivalent Document’) for the 2008
Scoping Plan.  The release institutes a 45-day public review and
comment period. After the 45-day public review, ARB staff will
consider comments received and prepare written responses to
comments raising significant environmental issues.

The Supplement is posted on ARB’s website.  A Board hearing is
currently scheduled for August 24, 2011, for the Board’s
reconsideration of its previous decision on the 2008 Scoping Plan
in light of the revised environmental analysis.
 
In currently pending litigation, a California state trial court
found that the analysis of the alternatives identified in the
original environmental analysis was not sufficient for informed
decision-making and public review under CEQA (Association of
Irritated Residents, et al. v. California Air Resources Board, et
al., San Francisco Superior Court, Case Number CPF-09-509562, May
20, 2011).  ARB disagrees with the trial court finding and has
appealed the decision.  However, to remove any doubt about the
matter, and in keeping with ARB’s interest in public
participation and informed decision-making, ARB is revisiting the
alternatives.

The revised analysis includes the five alternatives included in
the original environmental analysis: a “no project” alternative
(that is, taking no action at all); a plan relying on a
cap-and-trade program for the sectors included in a cap; a plan
relying more on source-specific regulatory requirements with no
cap-and-trade component; a plan relying on a carbon fee or tax;
and, a plan relying on a variety of proposed strategies and
measures.  The revised analysis relies on emissions projections
updated in light of current economic forecasts, accounting for
the economic downturn since 2008 and reduction measures already
approved and put in place.

The Supplement to the AB 32 Scoping Plan Functional Equivalent
Document (FED) is at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/document/Supplement_to_SP_FED.pdf

Information about the time and place of the public workshop on
the revised analysis will be posted at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scopingplan.htm

ARB is accepting written comments on the revised analysis until
July 28, 2011. Written comments may be submitted to: Clerk of the
Board, Air Resources Board, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, California
95814.  Electronic submittal of comments is at: 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm/bclist.php 

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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