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Controlling emissions saves money and protects public health. 

Release 08-80
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2008
	  	  	
Stanley Young
916-322-2990 w
916-956-9409 m
www.arb.ca.gov

ARB analysis finds that reducing greenhouse gas pollutants also
provides net benefit to California's economy and public health
Economic analysis sees continued robust growth; public health
analysis forecasts health benefits

SACRAMENTO-The Air Resources Board today released two reports
that highlight how implementing AB 32, California's pioneering
climate change law, will provide net benefits to both
California's economy and public health.

"The facts are in. These reports support the conclusion that
guiding California toward a clean energy future with reduced
dependence on fossil fuels will grow our economy, improve public
health, protect the environment and create a more secure future
built on clean and sustainable technologies," said Mary Nichols,
ARB Chairman.

The reports analyze the economic and public health impacts of
the recommended measures in the draft Scoping Plan, the State's
policy framework that outlines how California will reduce
greenhouse gases 30 percent by 2020, as required under AB 32.

The economic analysis indicates that ARB's strategy will create
jobs and save individual households money. And, California will
achieve those benefits while enjoying a net benefit in economic
growth between now and 2020, compared to the "do-nothing"
scenario where California continues to rely heavily on fossil
fuels as it does today.

The public health analysis demonstrates that implementing the
recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will build on
existing air pollution programs that reduce smog-causing
chemicals and toxic soot, providing significant additional
public health and environmental benefits.

The economic analysis compares the recommendations in the draft
Scoping Plan to doing nothing and shows that implementing the
recommendations will result in:

    * Increased economic production of $27 billion
    * Increased overall gross state product of $4 billion
    * Increased overall personal income by $14 billion
    * Increased per capita income of $200
    * Increased jobs by more than 100,000 

The public health analysis shows that programs under AB 32 will
improve on existing air pollution cleanup programs. As a result,
in 2020:

    * An estimated 300 premature deaths statewide will be
avoided
    * Almost 9,000 incidences of asthma and lower respiratory
symptoms will be avoided
    * 53,000 work loss days will be avoided 

The recommended approach that was analyzed includes a mix of
strategies that combines market-based regulatory approaches,
other regulations, voluntary measures, fees, and other policies
and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The economic
analysis used analytical models that measure economy-wide
impacts of those policies and measures.

The analysis indicates that the bulk of the economic benefits
are the result of investments in energy efficiency that more
than pay for themselves over time. Additionally, the results in
the economic analysis may underestimate many economic benefits
since the models do not include lower costs from innovation and
improved technologies expected under a market-based program.

ARB is seeking public comment on both reports. Those comments
will be considered in the development of the proposed Scoping
Plan prior to it being presented for adoption to the Air
Resources Board at its November hearing.

ARB is the lead agency for implementing AB 32, the Global
Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and is part of an
administration-wide effort to address climate change and
mitigate the most severe projected impacts of global warming by
reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide.

Both reports, with appendices, can be found at
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cc.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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