Arnie & California flexing green muscle

Flexing his ‘OPECs’ – Schwarzenegger, E.U. & new carbon-cutting schemes

From the Grist weekly email 17/1/07:

“California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may be hobbled by a broken leg, but his mind is still strong. (File that under Sentences We Never Thought We’d Write.) In his State of the State address last week, the green-leaning Governator announced a plan to cut carbon in transportation fuel 10 percent by 2020.

‘Our cars have been running on dirty fuel too long. Our country has been dependent on foreign oil for too long. I ask you to set in motion the means to free ourselves from oil and from OPEC,’ he said. ‘California has the muscle to bring about such change. I say use it.‘

The effort, hailed as an “innovative and exciting” world first, will likely mean ramping up ethanol and other renewables, and could cause a transitional increase in gasoline prices.

Across the pond, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso unveiled a plan that would require member states to cut greenhouse-gas emissions 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.

Oh, E.U., that is so 2006. Arnie’s been there, capped that.”

Grist acknowledges “For all the hype, most people barely know enough about biofuels to drop a line or two at a cocktail party. What is ethanol, and how’s it different from biodiesel, and where does fry grease come in? ” They offer some clarifying info on biofuels in “Fill ‘er up” Grist’s special on biofuels.

About Grist

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Based in Seattle, Grist exists “to tell the untold stories, spotlight trends before they become trendy, and engage the apathetic.” They claim to be fiercely independent in their coverage – throwing brickbats and giving kudos where needed.

The planet doesn’t need any more sanctimonious tree-huggers, they say, so read and support Grist’s gloom and doom with a sense of humor….. or the planet gets it!

There’s a challenge “Don’t just sit there – talk back!” on the Gristmill Blog.

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Well said Arnie!

It’s worth checking out the Grist weekly email It’s free, informative and entertaining – a good addition to the inbox!