Bogged down by ongoing arguments and uncertainty over how to account for greenhouse gas emissions from land-use changes triggered when food crops are converted to biofuels, the California Air Resources Board is delaying adoption of a low carbon fuel standard. The standard, expected to help the state meet its carbon reduction mandate under AB 32, was discussed at a January 30 Air Board meeting. At issue is how to analyze indirect land-use changes, which can be far-flung responses to increased use of corn and other crops to make biofuels. For instance, when Midwest corn is converted to ethanol, to replace the grain on the world market land may be cleared elsewhere to grow new corn crops. This can release carbon dioxide to the air, offsetting any reductions in greenhouse gases from using ethanol instead of gasoline to run cars. The standard, aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles 10 percent by 2020, originally was slated to be adopted by the Air Board before the end of 2008. The agency’s staff now plans to submit the measure to its board for consideration April 23-24 after it works out how to analyze land use changes and then conducts such an analysis. In Washington state, Governor Chris Gregoire and state lawmakers January 29 introduced green jobs and climate action legislation. The proposed package is aimed at creating jobs, expanding the state’s economy, and making progress toward energy independence. “Washington is well-positioned to capitalize on the unique economic opportunities surrounding the growing green sector,” Gregoire said. “These proposals will help protect our environment as well as create and support jobs, stimulate the regional economy and strengthen Washington’s competitiveness in the global economy.” The legislation would limit greenhouse gas emissions and create market incentives for reducing greenhouse gas pollution through a cap-and-trade system designed last year by the seven states (including Washington) and four Canadian provinces in the Western Climate Initiative. The new legislation and investments are necessary for Washington to reach the greenhouse gas reductions called for in state law, said Gregoire. State law calls for shrinking greenhouse gas pollution to 1990 levels by 2020 and cutting greenhouse gases to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2035 and 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Without the new legislation, she said, Washington’s climate action policies would achieve only 45 percent of the reductions the state is supposed to meet by 2020.
