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Report to ARB presents policy recommendations to drive development of clean technology in California
Published on Dec 16, 2009 - 6:00:34 AM
By: Air Resources Board
SACRAMENTO Dec. 15, 2009 - The California Air Resources Board today received a report examining the opportunities, challenges and potential solutions for developing and deploying advanced technologies in California.
The "Advanced Technology to Meet California's Climate Goals: Opportunities, Barriers & Policy Solutions" report was prepared by a ten-member sub-group of the Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee (ETAAC). It presents a comprehensive view of California's need to drive and accelerate the development of technology that will stimulate the state's transition to a clean energy economy and achieve the greenhouse gas reductions required under AB 32, California's pioneering climate change legislation.
"California must take immediate and sustained action to overcome the barriers to long-term technology advancement ETAAC has identified, and to achieve our economic, environmental and climate goals," said Dr. Alan Lloyd, ETAAC Chair and President of the International Council on Clean Transportation.
The ETAAC report presents an action plan for advanced technology development to meet climate, economic and air quality goals.
"Addressing climate change is an economic growth opportunity", said Dr. Bob Epstein, Director of New Resource Bank and Vice Chair of ETAAC. "This report identifies policies that will enable California to achieve more jobs, less pollution and greater energy security."
The report's multi-sector approach to achieving greenhouse reductions and air quality improvements covers a broad spectrum of technologies, presenting specific policy action items for the energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation sectors.
"Advancing clean transportation is an excellent strategy to meet our goals of reducing greenhouse gases and other pollutants while driving California's economic development," Dr. Lloyd said.
The strategies outlined by the report include:
* A transition to zero-tailpipe-emission transportation technologies where California can play a leading role in development, manufacturing, and deployment
* Development and deployment of new energy efficiency technologies
* Innovative financing to help residents and businesses become more efficient and shrink their carbon footprint
* A package of recommendations for a suite of centralized and distributed renewable energy generation technologies
* Transitional funding assistance for California companies to deploy advanced technology to improve efficiency and produce low- or zero-greenhouse gas products; funding could come from allowances in a cap-and-trade program or federal stimulus dollars
The draft version of the report was developed over the course of four public meetings and a two-month-long formal public review.
"We will keep the carefully considered recommendations offered up by the independent technology committee in our back pocket as we move ahead in carrying out the state's landmark global climate change plan," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Strong investments in emerging technologies and a green collar workforce must be central components of every measure we take in this critical public health realm. It's worth noting that many of our diesel regulations are also following through on the committee's direction by reducing black carbon and providing jobs to those manufacturing and installing filters and cleaner engines."
The ETAAC was formed as directed by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 to advise ARB on activities that will facilitate investment in and implementation of technological research and development opportunities; and advise the ARB on state, regional, national, and international economic and technological developments related to greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Committee includes a broad cross-section of viewpoints on the California economy including academics and representatives of utilities, non-profits, local government, organized labor and small and corporate business groups.
This latest report updates sections of an initial report released by the ETAAC in February 2008. The report can be found at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/etaac/etaac.htm.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. 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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