BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 605|
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 605
Author: Lara (D) and Pavley (D)
Amended: 8/29/14
Vote: 21
PRIOR VOTES NOT RELEVANT
SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE : 4-2, 8/25/14
(Pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10)
AYES: Hill, Jackson, Leno, Pavley
NOES: Fuller, Gaines
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : Not available
SUBJECT : Short-lived climate pollutants
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires the Air Resources Board (ARB) to
complete a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of
short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).
Assembly Amendments delete the prior version of this bill
relating to the California Global Warming Solutions Act and
instead add the current language.
ANALYSIS :
Existing law requires ARB, pursuant to AB 32, (Núñez, Chapter
488, Statutes of 2006):
CONTINUED
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1.Adopts a statewide GHG emissions limit equivalent to 1990
levels by 2020 and adopts regulations to achieve maximum
technologically feasible and cost-effective GHG emission
reductions.
2.Prepares and approves a scoping plan, on or before January 1,
2009 and at once every five years thereafter, for achieving
the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective
reductions in GHG emissions from sources or categories of
sources of GHGs by 2020.
This bill:
1.Requires ARB to complete the SLCP strategy by January 1, 2016.
2.States that the requirements of this bill are notwithstanding
the 2020 statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limit
required by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of
2006 (AB 32, Núñez, Chapter 488).
3.Requires ARB to:
A. Complete an inventory of sources and emissions of SLCPs
based on available data.
B. Identify research needs to identify any data gaps.
C. Identify existing and potential new control measures to
reduce emissions.
D. Prioritize the development of new measures that offer
co-benefits by improving water quality or reducing air
pollutants that impact community health and benefit
identified disadvantaged communities.
E. Coordinate with other state agencies and air districts
to develop measures identified as part of the SLCP
strategy.
1.Requires ARB to consult with experts on SLCPs on specified
topics.
2.Requires ARB to hold at least one public workshop during
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development of the SLCP strategy.
3.Defines "short-lived climate pollutant" as an agent that has a
relatively short lifetime in the atmosphere and a
climate-warming influence that is more potent than carbon
dioxide.
4.Provides that this bill does not affect the existing authority
of a state agency to adopt and implement rules and regulations
that result in the reduction of GHGs or SLCPs to extent
authorized or required by existing law.
Background
As part of AB 32's direction that ARB adopt a statewide GHG
emissions limit equivalent to 1990 levels by 2020 and adopt
regulations to achieve maximum technologically feasible and
cost-effective GHG emission reductions, AB 32 requires ARB to
prepare and approve a scoping plan at five-year intervals.
The first AB 32 scoping plan, adopted by ARB in 2008, described
the specific measures ARB and others must take to reduce
statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Pursuant to AB
32, the reduction measures identified in the scoping plan had to
be proposed, reviewed, and adopted as individual regulations by
January 1, 2011, to become operative beginning on January 1,
2012. According to ARB, a total reduction of 80 million metric
tons (MMT), or 16% compared to business as usual, is necessary
to achieve the 2020 limit. Approximately 78% of the reductions
will be achieved through identified direct regulations. ARB
proposes to achieve the balance of reductions necessary to meet
the 2020 limit (approximately 18 MMT) through a cap-and-trade
program that covers an estimated 600 entities.
In May 2014, ARB adopted a scoping plan update. The scoping
plan update discusses the objective of achieving an 80%
reduction by 2050 and the need for a midterm target, but does
not propose or adopt a specific target. According to ARB, the
update defines ARB's climate change priorities for the next five
years and sets the groundwork to reach California's long-term
climate goals. Among its provisions, the update commits ARB to
develop a SLCP strategy by 2015 that will include an inventory
of sources and emissions, the identification of additional
research needs, and a plan for developing SLCP control measures.
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FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, minor and
absorbable costs.
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/26/14)
Coalition for Clean Air
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club
OPPOSITION : (Verified 8/26/14)
Agricultural Energy Consumers Association
California Chamber of Commerce
California Cotton Ginners Association
California Cotton Growers Association
California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance
California Farm Bureau Federation
California Independent Petroleum Association
California League of Food Processors
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Poultry Federation
Nisei Farmers League
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Growers Association
Western States Petroleum Association
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : Supporters of the bill state that SB
605 would put a much needed priority on reducing short-lived
climate pollutants, which have been scientifically proven to
trigger short-term climate warming as well as have negative
public health impacts, particularly in low-income communities.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : Opponents state that the bill will
result in duplicative regulations that will drive up cost with
regard to environmental or health benefits, and that SB 605 does
not include a requirement that emission reduction strategies
maximize cost-effectiveness and technological feasibility, which
is an important component needed to ensure that the state gets
the biggest bang for the buck when choosing to create new
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regulations.
RM:e 8/29/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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