[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Global Warming and California

[Lawrence Lile]

>I think it has a good shot at surviving and really leading the nation.
As usual.  California has brought more new ideas, good and bad, than
almost any other state.  Interesting point about the water - all of us
eat from the Central Valley, and if it had no water, that would not be
good.  

--Lawrence LIle


-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Heather
Merenda
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:36 AM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Global Warming and California
Importance: Low

The global warming cap in California is real, and would have teeth.
It's been documented and accepted as policy by the water purveyors that
the Sierra snowpack will not survive global warming.  The snowpack is
where, at least Southern California and irrigated ag in the Central
Valley (where 25% of nation's fruits and vegies are grown), gets at
least half its water in storage and slowly melts in the spring.  All the
rainfall would need to be collected in torrential storms (think riding a
horse at a pleasant gallop versus taming a wild horse).  That means
higher and more dams to hold the water, fixing the levee system, etc.
All huge price tags and political quagmires.  Slowing global warming has
become the best cost benefit solution.  However, its likely the Feds/DOJ
will sue California, as it has on other emission reduction rules,
arguing that it's exceeding it's regulatory authority. California has
been working on this for years, starting with Assembly Bill 1493
(Pavley).  I think it has a good shot at surviving and really leading
the nation.

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