December 28, 2017
On December 14, 2017 the California Air Resources Board (ARB) approved the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan that sets the GHG emission reduction goals for the state for the next decade, through 2030 according to a December 15, 2017 DieselNet report. As part of the climate action, the agency also approved a $663 million low-carbon transportation plan to increase the use of clean cars, heavy-duty trucks, buses and freight equipment.
Eleven years ago, the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) set the goal of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by
2020. California is on track to exceed that target. The 2017 Scoping Plan sets the state on a very ambitious course to reduce climate-changing gases an additional 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. This will require California to double the rate at which it has been cutting climate-changing gases.
The Scoping Plan addresses the major sources of GHG emissions from various sectors of the economy:
- More Clean Cars and Trucks: The plan sets out programs to incentivize the sale of millions of zero-emission vehicles, drive the deployment of zero-emission trucks, and shift to a cleaner system of handling freight statewide.
- Increased Renewable Energy: California’s electric utilities are on track to meet the requirement that 33% of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020. The Scoping Plan guides utilities to 50% renewables by 2030, as required under SB 350.
- Slashing Super-Pollutants: The plan calls for reductions in emissions of super-pollutants such as methane and HFC refrigerants, which are responsible for as much as 40% of global warming.
- Cleaner Industry and Electricity: California’s renewed cap-and-trade program extends the declining cap on emissions from utilities and industries and the carbon allowance auctions.
- Cleaner Fuels: The Low Carbon Fuel Standard will continue to require that renewable transportation fuels increasingly replace fossil fuels.
- Smart Community Planning: Local communities will continue developing plans to reduce emissions through more sustainable transportation and housing policies.
- Improved Agriculture and Forests: The Scoping Plan also outlines programs to account for and reduce emissions from agriculture, as well as forests and other natural lands.
These investments support the emission reduction goals of the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan, as well as the State Implementation Plans and the California Sustainable Freight Action Plan.
What this means to you
California has approved the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan that sets the GHG emission reduction goals for the state through 2030. The 2017 plan sets a course to reduce climate-changing gases an additional 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 which requires California to double the rate at which it has been cutting climate-changing gases.
MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH for help bringing stationary engines into compliance.