Governor Signs Law That Reduces 'Super Pollutants' To Combat Climate Change

 LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Gov. Jerry Brown Monday signed into law a bill imposing what he called the nation's toughest restrictions on "super pollutants" such as black carbon, fluorinated gases and methane.

"Cutting black carbon and other super pollutants is the critical next step in our program to combat climate change," Brown said during a signing ceremony held near a playground in the shadow of an oil refinery in Long Beach. "We're protecting people's lungs, their health by cutting out the poisonous chemical that comes out of diesel trucks that comes out of many sources in what is known as black carbon."

SB 1383, authored by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, requires a 50 percent reduction in black carbon and 40 percent reduction in methane and hydrofluorocarbon from 2013 levels by 2030.

The pollutants are generated by sources including waste-disposal, petroleum-based fuel, agriculture and synthetic gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning and aerosol products.

Lara said the pollutants "are powerful climate forcers that have a profound effect on climate change and global warming."

"They also have detrimental effects on public health," he said. "This bill represents a unique opportunity to balance our global vision for the future with a much more local and immediate perspective. With these bold and ambitious goals, we'll continue to set the standard for climate policy worldwide."

Tom Scott, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business criticized the legislation. He said it creates an inconsistent policy that will "further increase the cost of doing business in California," particularly for the agricultural industry.

Some environmental groups supported the legislation. But others were angry that Brown and Lara made concessions to ease the transition for the dairy industry, including postponing mandates until 2024.

The new law also calls for a significant increase in composting to reduce organic waste, which emits methane when it breaks down in landfills. It calls for a boost of 50 percent within four years.

Earlier this month, the governor signed legislation setting a new goal of reducing California's carbon emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.