NEWS

Candidate McCain endorses state’s global warming fight

02/22/2007

Candidate McCain endorses state's global warming fight

Presidential contender says California's program should be national model

By Peter Hecht

Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau

Republican presidential candidate John McCain, applauding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for taking on the "compelling issue of global climate challenge," pledged Wednesday to make California's global warming fight the model for a national effort to curb greenhouse gases.

Appearing with the governor at the Port of Long Beach, the Arizona senator said he will fight in the Senate—and if elected president—to adopt low carbon standards for vehicle fuels to cut pollution blamed for climate change.

McCain sharply criticized the Bush administration for only belatedly acknowledging the global warming threat and for failing to come up with solutions.

"I would assess this administration's effort on global warming as terrible," McCain said.

He called for a national program based on two efforts already begun in California.

Last month, Schwarzenegger signed an executive order, known as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, that requires fuel suppliers to cut carbon dioxide emissions in transportation vehicles by 10 percent by 2020.

The executive order followed last year's Global Warming Solutions Act. Approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Schwarzenegger, that law requires the state to cut total greenhouse gas pollution by 25 percent by the same year.

"The state of California, thanks to Governor Schwarzenegger, has already taken actions," McCain said. "I believe that what they are doing is of vital importance. Perhaps more importantly, it sends a message to Washington that they expect us to act at the federal level."

Earlier Wednesday, Schwarzenegger briefed McCain on the state's new carbon fuel standard as the pair took a helicopter tour over the 710 Freeway and the Port of Long Beach, the nation's second-busiest port.

Schwarzenegger said cleaner transportation fuels—from ships to trucks—are an essential component to "a healthy environment, a growing economy and strong national security" by reducing reliance on oil.

Though he pointedly didn't take the opportunity to endorse his friend McCain for the Republican nomination for the White House, Schwarzenegger said, "No matter who runs for president, I think this will be a very big issue."

Transportation is considered the biggest source of greenhouse gases in California, accounting for about 41 percent of emissions in 2004.

Meanwhile, part of McCain and Schwarzenegger's tour Wednesday included a visit to the proposed site of a new power plant to be run by BP and Edison Mission Group. Due to open in 2011, the plant will use hydrogen as a fuel source. It also will pump carbon dioxide emissions—which are blamed for climate change—into the ground instead of the atmosphere.

McCain said he is calling for a "national standard" for cutting carbon levels in fuels and also curbing overall greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. He said he supports free-market solutions based on programs in place in California.

For example, industries can be exempted from California emission standards if they purchase "carbon credits" from companies that are outperforming the state compliance standards.

"My friends, the debate over climate change should be over. Climate change is taking place and it is largely due to human activity," McCain said.

"Time is not on our side. We must act."