BILL ANALYSIS
AB 478
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 478 (Chesbro)
As Introduced February 24, 2009
Majority vote
NATURAL RESOURCES 6-3 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Skinner, Brownley, |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Charles |
| |Chesbro, | |Calderon, Davis, Fuentes, |
| |De Leon, Hill, Huffman | |Hall, John A. Perez, |
| | | |Price, Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Krekorian |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+---------------------------|
|Nays:|Gilmore, Knight, Logue |Nays:|Nielsen, Duvall, Harkey, |
| | | |Miller, |
| | | |Audra Strickland |
| | | | |
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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 requires, pursuant to the California Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006 [AB 32 (Nunez), Chapter 455, Statutes of
2006] 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 : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, moderate special fund costs, ranging from $300,000 to
$600,000 for ARB to develop regulations. (Air pollution control
fund) Minor and absorbable special fund costs to CIWMB to
consult with ARB in the development of the regulations.
(Integrated Waste Management Account)
COMMENTS : 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
AB 478
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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.
The author states that the Scoping Plan, which ARB adopted last
December, does not adequately account for GHG emission from
products disposed in California but produced out of state. The
author believes this bill address this oversight by ensuring
that ARB, as it continues to develop and implement AB 32, will
benefit from CIWMB's expertise in solid waste disposal and
recycling.
Analysis Prepared by : Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092 FN: 0001098