California Governor Schwarzenegger Showcases California Businesses' Environmental Innovations

05/20/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined with business and environmental leaders to unveil the Environmental Defense Fund's (EDF) inaugural "Innovations Review: Making Green the New Business as Usual" report, which is the result of a nationwide review of products and practices that increase environmental efficiency and provide savings to businesses.

California Governor Schwarzenegger showcases green business: Governor Schwarzenegger joined business and environmental leaders to unveil the Environmental Defense Fund’s inaugural “Innovations Review: Making Green the New Business as Usual” report.

The event showcased businesses utilizing best practices and new technologies that are both good for the environment and for the economy.

"The Environmental Defense Fund recognized that ‘business as usual' is changing, so they created a new way to assess environmental innovation," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "More than a third of the companies showcased are based here. I love it when California is number one and it is a big thrill to see businesses in our state leading the way.

"The one thing these companies have in common is leadership. And leadership is exactly what we need to tackle the enormous challenges of climate change while protecting economic growth."

EDF's inaugural review underscores that California businesses are leading the way in defining greener business practices. The report assessed hundreds of business products, practices and technologies, selecting more than 20 innovations and 31 companies from around the country to highlight in its report. Of those recognized, eleven companies are based in California.

California companies are producing a growing share of green technology patents-44 percent of all U.S. patents in solar and 37 percent in wind-and numerous energy efficient products and services. According to Next 10's "California Green Innovation Index," California represents almost half of all green-tech investment in the U.S., and all signs point to continued growth. In fact, venture capitalists last year invested $1.78 billion in California green technology companies. Since 1990, the green business establishments in the state have grown by 84 percent and employment has doubled.

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

* 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.

Source: California Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •