There is no single issue more important to our global community than climate change.

It is imperative we phase out the burning of fossil fuels, expand research, development, and manufacturing investments in renewable energy, and foster thriving new industries with good-paying jobs based on sustainability rather than resource consumption. That is why I have made protecting and improving our environment one of my top priorities in Sacramento.

I am extremely proud to have co-authored Assembly Bill 32 – the California Global Warming Solutions Act – a revolutionary bill enacted to cap California’s greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and I authored legislation – Assembly Bill 1056 – to increase the use of science in protecting oceanic ecosystems; this bill has been recently signed into law.

Additionally, I authored Assembly Bill 706 to prohibit the use of cancer-causing fire retardants in upholstered furniture while maintaining fire safety through the utilization of non-carcinogenic fire retardants in this type of furniture.

Finally, I previously authored AB 2573 which reformed California electricity law to allow San Francisco’s municipal utilities to install solar energy systems and employ these systems for public purposes anywhere it is needed, including firehouses, schools, or operating electrically-powered public transit.

Climate change, the collapse of land and ocean ecosystems, and alarming increases in bio-accumulating toxins are all challenging problems I believe California can solve and – at the same time – provide leadership for the nation and world. We are all on this planet together, and together we must work to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and our children. There is no other option for our collective future.

Here is a sample of some of the environmental bills I am currently working on in the state Assembly. I've also listed past legislation from previous years. For a complete review of my state legislative record, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

2007

AB 706: California Furniture Safety and Fire Prevention Act This bill bans the use of all brominated and chlorinated fire retardants in upholstered furniture as well as bedding products such as pillows, comforters, and mattresses. These chemicals have been linked to a wide variety of health problems including cancer, birth defects and reproductive difficulties. The bill creates a smarter and improved fire-safety standard for furniture, while protecting our kids, workers, fire fighters, and others from potentially dangerous exposure to toxic chemicals.

AB 1056: California Ocean Protection Council (Leno & Huffman) This bill authorizes the California Ocean Protection Council to establish a science advisory team to improve the Council’s ability to wisely spend $90 million in bond funds approved by the voters in 2006. It ensures that the Council’s decisions on ocean protection projects are informed by thorough research and scientific review.

AB 1451: Solar Exclusion Renewal This bill renews a successful exclusion from property tax assessments for solar energy systems. The bill also clarifies that the first buyers of newly constructed homes equipped with solar energy systems are eligible for the exclusion from assessment. This exclusion for solar power was initially approved by the voters in 1980 and has helped make California an international leader in solar technology and installation.

AB 1358: Complete Streets Act This bill prompts cities and counties to plan for the accommodation of all users of the roadway including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, seniors, children, and the disabled. Planning for these accommodations before construction begins is cheaper than retrofitting existing infrastructure and will give Californians real options for getting out of their cars. The resulting reduction in vehicle miles traveled will reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions and help us meet standards set by AB 32.

2006

AB 2573: San Francisco Solar Power Expansion This bill authorizes a power exchange between municipal solar power facilities with excess solar generation capacity and new municipal development sites which can use the excess solar-generated electricity.

2005

AB 749: Local Dungeness Crab Industry Protection This bill grants authority to the State Fish and Game Commission to regulate the crab fishing industry and establishes trap limits, in an effort to protect the long-term sustainability of the crab fishermen, local businesses and the Dungeness crab species.

AB 1099: Solar Tax Exemption This bill removes the sunset clause on a tax exemption for the construction or addition of solar energy systems on public or private buildings.

AB 1147: Industrial Hemp Production Current law allows hemp to be imported into California for manufacturing a wide array of consumer goods and products, but prohibits hemp from being grown in the state. This bill would remove that prohibition, providing California farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative that requires fewer pesticides and less water than many other crops.

2004

AB 594: Implementation of Proposition B, the Solar Revenue Bond This measure closes a loophole in state law to allow the City of San Francisco to implement Proposition B, the solar revenue bond supported overwhelmingly by San Francisco voters. Currently, San Francisco can build solar power projects like Moscone Center that supply power directly to an on-site facility. AB 594 allows the City of San Francisco to build projects on remote government properties and supply power through net-metering, expanding the possibilities for building solar power facilities.

AB 1684: Clean up of AB 1685 relating to the Self Generation Incentive Program This measure is a technical clean up of AB 1685, a bill passed last year which extended the Self-Generation Incentive Program to 2008. AB 1684 is a minor technical clean up and was voted unanimously out of the Assembly and will be heard in the Senate Energy Committee this June.

AB 2146: Dungeness Crab Industry Pilot Project AB 2146 will ensure the livelihood of family-owned, small-to-medium crab boat owners and operators. These traditional, small businesses are in danger of losing their place in an industry of larger, more equipped boats and processors. AB 2146 would limit the number of crab traps used for the take of Dungeness crab to 250 traps per vessel beginning October 1, 2005 through October 1, 2007. Additionally this measure would authorize the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations as may be necessary to ensure the protection of the Dungeness Crab Industry.

2003

AB 1684: Elimination of Exit Fees Last September, AB 58 (Keeley) expanded the State’s net metering law. Although the utilities were ultimately unsuccessful in their effort to thwart the bill, they succeeded in inserting some language that allows exit fees to be charged to net-metered customers. Correcting this flaw and protecting solar customers from exit fees will provide an important incentive for solar installations in a way that is revenue-neutral to the utilities and does not impact the general fund.

AB 1685: CPUC Reauthorization of Self-Generation Incentive Program The California Public Utilities Self-Generation Incentive Program is a critically important subsidy for the growth of solar energy in California. Most of the large solar projects in California, including the $7.4 million solar rooftop at the Moscone Center, have received this subsidy. The program is mandated by the CPUC but administered by the utilities. AB 1685 would re-authorize the program.