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Schwarzenegger signs bill limiting greenhouse gas emissions
AFP
SAN FRANCISCO
Petroleumworld.com 09 28 06
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a historic bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions on Wednesday, making California the first US state to impose limits on gases suspected in global warming.
"We begin a bold new era of environmental protection here in California that will change the course of history," Schwarzenegger said at a press conference on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay.
"This is something that we owe our children and we owe our grandchildren. We can save our planet and boost our economy at the same time," the Hollywood action hero added.
Under the plan, California will aim to slash the state's carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent by the year 2020.
California's initiative was welcomed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a live satellite link-up.
"This will echo right around the world," Blair said.
"This is a win-win for safeguarding the planet's future and making our economy strong in a sustainable way."
Blair called on the United States and other countries not signed-on with the Kyoto Accord to join the momentum and get on board when time came to renew the environmental pact in 2020.
Scwharzenegger said the state would create a thriving clean technology industry that would "pump up" the economy while protecting the environment."
AFP 271856 GMT 09 06
Copyright ©2006 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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