Bill > S3207

Introduced Session

This bill would establish new timeframes for the implementation of certain requirements in the "Global Warming Response Act" (GWRA), and require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt a strategy to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. The Legislature enacted the GWRA in 2007 in order to help curb global climate change by establishing aggressive goals to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the State: to 1990 emissions levels by the year 2020, and to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050. The GWRA required the DEP to, among other things, adopt rules and regulations establishing a greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting program, prepare biennial reports on the status of this program, and make recommendations for legislative and regulatory action necessary to accomplish the 2050 goal for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Despite clear directive in the law, however, the DEP never fulfilled these requirements. This bill would establish new timeframes for the completion of the Legislature's directives in the GWRA. Specifically, within 18 months after the date of enactment of the bill, the DEP would be required to adopt rules and regulations establishing a greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting program. Additionally, within 18 months after the date of enactment, and biennially thereafter, the DEP would be required to prepare a report on the status of the greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting program, the current level of greenhouse gas emissions in the State, and the progress made toward compliance with the goals established in the GWRA. Finally, within one year after the date of enactment, the bill would require the DEP to prepare a report recommending additional measures necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the 2050 goal. The bill would also require the State to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in the State. Short-lived climate pollutants, such as black carbon, fluorinated gases, and methane, are greenhouse gases that have a relatively short lifespan in the atmosphere, from a few days to a few decades, but that have a warming influence on the climate that is greater than that of carbon dioxide. Short-lived climate pollutants have a dramatic and detrimental effect on air quality, public health, and climate change, and reducing emissions of these pollutants can have an immediate beneficial impact on climate change and public health. The requirement to adopt a comprehensive strategy under this bill is based on legislation adopted and implemented in California.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Christopher Bateman (R)*,  Richard Codey (D)*,  Linda Greenstein (D)*,  Jim Kennedy (D)*,  Nancy Pinkin (D)*,  Bob Smith (D)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*,  Daniel Benson (D),  Clinton Calabrese (D),  Herbert Conaway (D),  JoAnn Downey (D),  Mila Jasey (D),  Gordon Johnson (D),  Troy Singleton (D),  Andrew Zwicker (D), 

Approved P.L.2019, c.197. (on 07/23/2019)