BILL ANALYSIS
AB 478
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Date of Hearing: April 13, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Nancy Skinner, Chair
AB 478 (Chesbro) - As Introduced: February 24, 2009
SUBJECT : Greenhouse gas emissions: solid waste.
SUMMARY : Requires the Air Resources Board (ARB) to consult with
the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) when
developing regulations related to the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions (GHGs) from solid waste reduction and recycling.
EXISTING LAW : Pursuant to the California Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), requires ARB to adopt a statewide
GHG limit equivalent to 1990 levels by 2020 and adopt
regulations to achieve maximum technologically feasible and
cost-effective GHG emission reductions.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
1)Background
The bulk of GHGs from solid waste are from methane produced by
the decomposition of organic material in the state's landfills.
According to the Scoping Plan, adopted by ARB in December 2008
in response to AB 32, 1%, or 5.6 million metric tons carbon
dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2E), of the state's total GHG emissions
are from solid waste landfills. If left unaddressed, that
number will reach 7.7 MMTCO2E by the year 2020. The Plan calls
for reductions in methane emissions from landfills through
increased diversion/recycling, composting, and commercial
recycling. In addition to the measurable reductions of methane,
increased composting will reduce the need for water and
fertilizer in California's agricultural sector. Recycling also
provides indirect benefits primarily by reducing the substantial
energy use associated with the acquisition of raw materials in
the manufacturing state of a product's life-cycle.
According to the author, national recycling efforts estimate GHG
reductions of 49.9 MMTCO2E annually when compared to landfilling
or combusting the same material. This is equivalent to
removing 40 million cars from the road.
AB 478
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2)This bill
The author states that AB 32 fails to address the out of state
effects of California recycling and waste reduction efforts.
Unlike energy productions, products that are produced out of
state, but consumed or recycled in California, are not a part of
the existing program. This bill seeks to address this gap by
ensuring that CIWMB is an active participant in any regulations
adopted by ARB relating to solid waste and recycling.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,
ALF-CIO
California Senior Legislature
National Parks Conservation Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092