By: Bill Curtis 4:33 PM Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today addressed more than 800 industry leaders, policymakers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and the business community at the 2008 Florida Summit on Global Climate Change.

The Governor discussed how states and the federal government can work together to create a comprehensive innovative energy policy that reduces our dependence on petroleum-based oil and helps consumers, protects our planet and builds a stronger and more secure nation. He also used the opportunity to highlight the similarities between California and Florida that make our two states natural partners on the environment, including both governors’ action on global warming and renewable energy.



“California and Florida are bi-coastal leaders in fighting global warming, which is why this summit is so important,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “As two of the largest states in the nation, it’s critical that we join forces to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy.



“Our nation needs to follow California’s roadmap to a new energy policy—one that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizes greater innovation in new technologies and gives consumers fuel choices.”



Demand for clean-tech products is rising sharply across the country, and California companies are producing a growing share of these products and services. In fact, according to Next10's “California Green Innovation Index,” California patents account for 44 percent of all U.S. patents in solar and 37 percent in all U.S. patents in wind technologies. These clean-tech products are helping to diversify our energy sources, increase our energy security and expand the economy while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.



In addition to California's policies aimed at spurring renewable energy growth, the state has also launched the most aggressive energy efficiency program in the world. Over a three-year period, this program will eliminate the need to build three power plants, cutting energy costs for homes and businesses by $5 billion.



According to a poll released by Next 10 on Monday, nearly three out of four California voters support state energy policies to reduce global warming pollution. Ninety percent of voters surveyed say that in developing policies to address global warming, it is very or extremely important to reduce our dependence on oil.



Governor Schwarzenegger has led California in establishing laws and policies to protect the environment:

· The Governor has set a goal of increasing California's renewable energy sources to 20 percent by 2010, and he supports reaching 33 percent by 2020.
In January 2007, the Governor announced the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation fuels that requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in California. This first-of-its-kind standard firmly establishes sustainable demand for lower-carbon fuels without favoring one fuel over another. To start, the standard will reduce the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10 percent by 2020 and more thereafter.

· In September 2006, the Governor signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, California’s landmark bill that established a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The law will reduce carbon emissions in California to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger has also called for the state to reduce carbon emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050.

· In August 2006, the Governor signed his Million Solar Roofs Plan into law, which will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by three million tons, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018.

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