Energy Activities
This page last reviewed on December 19, 2012
In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Act), into law. The Act requires the Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) in coordination with other agencies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The ARB assists local air districts to control the emission of criteria pollutants from electrical generation equipment. The ARB also certifies some distributed generation technologies as eligible for sale in the State pursuant to Senate Bill 1298. For more information regarding ARB's Energy Activities click on "contacts" on the left navigation bar.
California's Clean Energy Future
The "California's Clean Energy Future" overview outlines how California's energy agencies will achieve the ambitious environmental and energy policy goals established by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The plan is available for download from the California's Clean Energy Future website.
AB1900 - Biomethane Renewable Resoures:
AB 1900, chaptered into law on September 27, 2012 (Chapter 602, Statutes of 2012), requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop standards for constituents in biogas to protect human health and pipeline integrity and safety. In support of the CPUC standards development efforts, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and the Air Resources Board (ARB), in consultation with other State agencies, are to undertake certain actions including determining health protective measures for constituents of concern and identifying monitoring, testing, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements necessary to ensure that health protective levels are maintained.Renewable Electricity Standard (RES):
AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32; Statutes of 2006, chapter 488), creates a comprehensive, multi-year program to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Established in Executive Order S-21-09, the ARB, under its AB 32 authority, shall adopt a regulation requiring a 33 percent renewable energy target by 2020.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems:
AB 32 mandates ARB to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels be 2020 and to prepare a Scoping Plan detailing possible methods to meet this goal. One of the possible emission reductions measures contained within ARB's Scoping Plan would increase the use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems. CHP refers to any system that generates electricity and useful thermal energy.
Sulfur Hexafloride (SF6) for Gas Insulated Switchgear:
AB 32 requires ARB to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a very potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential approximately 23,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2). ARB staff has included the reduction of SF6 emissions from gas insulated switchgear as a possible emission reduction measure within its Scoping Plan.
Distributed Generation:
On September 25, 2000, Governor Davis signed Senate Bill 1298 (SB 1298). This bill requires the ARB to adopt a certification program for Distributed Generation (DG) units that are exempt from local air district permits and to issue guidance for DG units that are subject to district permit.







