Environmental Protection
Program Enhancements and Other Budget Adjustments


GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT
 The Governor's Budget proposes $35.8 million from various funds and 126.1 positions to implement the California Global Warming Solutions Act. (A programmatic display is shown in Figure ENV-02.) This proposal will achieve emission reductions through a balanced approach of regulatory and market-based programs. Specific activities include:

  • Emissions Inventory Development and Mandatory Reporting ($3.5 million and 17.2 positions): The Air Board will be responsible for collecting greenhouse gas emissions data in California, which will enable the state to identify the major sources of emissions and develop reduction measures. Mandatory reporting will provide the necessary data to enable the Air Board to maintain an accurate emissions inventory and measure the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies.
  • Emission Reduction Scoping Plan ($1.8 million and 10.8 positions): The Act requires the Air Board to develop a comprehensive scoping plan to attain 1990 emission levels by 2020. The Board will evaluate the cost-effectiveness and technological feasibility of regulatory and market-based emission reduction strategies, analyze economic impacts, and identify and make recommendations on specific emission reduction measures. The Board will consult with agencies such as the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Water Resources, the Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Commission on elements of the plan that address emissions from sources outside its jurisdiction.
  • Alternative and Market-Based Compliance Measures ($12.0 million and 35.8 positions): Economic studies have determined that market-based mechanisms, including emissions trading, are a cost-effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A University of California, Berkeley report on the economic benefits of climate action in California found that regulatory and market-based strategies are complementary. This proposal will develop a market-based compliance program that will achieve emission reductions in a technologically feasible manner with the least impact on California consumers and businesses, and will implement the Green Building Action Plan to require state buildings to comply with energy efficiency standards and use recycled materials.
  • Regulatory Emission Reduction Measures ($7.1 million and 29.4 positions): The Climate Action Team identified several cost-effective emission reduction strategies, including developing additional energy efficiency standards and clean alternative fuels, and improving heavy duty engines. This proposal will implement early action measures that have already been identified by the Climate Action Team as well as evaluate the costs and technological feasibility of other emission reduction measures. The Act requires the Air Board to publish a list of early action measures by June 30, 2007.
  • Scientific and Economic Analysis ($7.4 million and 9 positions): To ensure that emission reductions are achieved in a cost-effective manner, departments must conduct thorough scientific, technical, and economic analyses. Leading experts will be consulted to assist in these complex efforts.
  • Program Oversight and Coordination ($4.0 million and 23.9 positions): Implementing the Act will involve collaboration with multiple state agencies and coordination with federal and local governments and international bodies. The Secretary for Environmental Protection will continue to lead the statewide effort to implement greenhouse gas emission reduction policies necessary to attain 1990 emission levels by 2020, as required under the Act.
Funding for this proposal includes a $15.9 million loan from the Motor Vehicle Account. The remaining funding will come from various special funds and Proposition 84.


LOW-EMISSION SCHOOL BUSES
 Approximately one million children in California depend on school bus transportation. An Air Board study concluded that children who ride older school buses are subjected to increased exposure to air pollutants, including diesel exhaust. School-age children are especially vulnerable to diesel emissions because their respiratory systems are still developing.

The Governor's Budget proposes $96.5 million Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Fund and 2.9 positions to replace pre-1987 school buses and retrofit old diesel school buses. This funding will replace 535 pre-1987 school buses manufactured prior to the implementation of diesel emission standards and retrofit approximately 1,500 school buses. Diesel retrofit technology reduces emissions by 85 percent.


HYDROGEN HIGHWAYS
 Hydrogen technologies have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution from motor vehicles and reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels. The Governor's Hydrogen Highway Blueprint Plan aims to establish 50 to 100 hydrogen fueling stations in California. The Governor's Budget proposes $6.0 million Motor Vehicle Account and 7.7 positions for the Air Resources Board to continue development of the Hydrogen Highway. This will provide matching funds for up to eight publicly accessible hydrogen fueling stations and will prioritize funding for stations that generate hydrogen from promising renewable technologies, such as biomass, solar, and wind energy.


PROPOSITION 84 - WATER QUALITY
 Proposition 84, "The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006," approved by California's electorate in November 2006, provides $5.4 billion to address water supply needs and protect natural resources. (For additional information, see the Proposition 84 discussion in the Resources Chapter.)

The Governor's Budget proposes a total of $1.1 billion for Proposition 84, including $111.4 million and 30.1 positions for the State Water Resources Control Board for water quality programs, including:

  • $75.7 million and 8 positions for the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Program. This program provides low interest loans or grants to construct municipal wastewater treatment facilities, storm water pollution control projects, non-point source pollution projects, and estuary enhancement projects. This funding includes the state share of federal matching funds.
  • $6.2 million and 1.5 positions for the Agricultural Water Quality Grant Program. This program provides grants for public agencies or nonprofit organizations to improve agricultural water quality, including projects related to research and construction of agricultural drainage water improvements.
  • $14.6 million and 3 positions for the Urban Storm Water Grant Program. This program provides grants to local public agencies for projects that contain storm water runoff, such as diverting the runoff to treatment facilities.
  • $8.8 million and 5.7 positions for the Clean Beaches Grant Program. This program provides grants to public agencies for water quality projects in coastal waters, estuaries, and bays. Projects include upgrading septic systems, storm water pollution reduction programs, and clean beach projects in Santa Monica. Proposition 84 specifies that 20 percent of the funds for clean beaches be allocated to the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission.
  • $6.1 million and 11.9 positions for basin and land use planning activities. This program will provide grants to local agencies to incorporate watershed protection efforts into land use policy, including projects such as restoring creeks and wetlands, directing runoff to permeable surfaces, and increasing water reuse.

BROWNFIELDS
 Brownfields are abandoned industrial properties that are contaminated, or thought to be contaminated, and are underutilized due to potential cleanup costs and liability concerns. Cleanup activities are required for redevelopment projects to proceed, and the state plays a critical role in ensuring that brownfield sites comply with environmental standards. The redevelopment of urban brownfield properties optimizes the use of existing infrastructure, limits urban sprawl, and protects California's natural resources. When agricultural land and open spaces are developed for residential, commercial or industrial uses, costly infrastructure such as roads and sewers must be developed and urban sprawl places additional burdens on the state's environment.

The Water Board and the Department of Toxic Substances Control administer voluntary brownfield cleanup programs. The Governor's Budget proposes $3.1 million Cleanup and Abatement Account and 25.1 positions for the Water Board to accelerate the cleanup of approximately 750 additional brownfield sites. The Budget proposes $219,000 special funds and 1.9 positions for the Department of Toxic Substances Control to implement recent legislation that provides incentives for brownfield cleanups.


BIOMONITORING
 Biomonitoring is a scientific technique for assessing human exposure to chemicals based on sampling and analysis of an individual's tissues and fluids, such as blood. The results of these measurements provide information about the amounts of chemicals that enter and remain in the body. One of the goals of biomonitoring is to evaluate trends in chemical exposures and identify communities that are at risk. Biomonitoring data can support efforts to improve public health and establish policy priorities.

The Governor's Budget proposes $1.5 million General Fund and 4.9 positions to begin implementation of Chapter 599, Statutes of 2006, (SB 1379, Perata) which requires the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with Cal/EPA, to establish a Biomonitoring Program. Specifically, the Budget proposes $167,000 and 1.2 positions for the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for public outreach and education activities and to support the Scientific Guidance Panel in making recommendations for the design and implementation of the Biomonitoring Program. The Budget proposes $123,000 and 0.9 positions for the Department of Toxic Substances Control to assist in developing protocols to properly detect persistent organic chemicals in human tissue samples. (For additional information, please see the Biomonitoring discussion in the Health and Human Services Chapter.)
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CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for Environmental Protection Back to Top

 Major Accomplishments in 2006-07
 Proposed Environmental Protection Spending for 2007-08
image of black pointing arrowProgram Enhancements and Other Budget Adjustments
PRINTABLE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Back to Top
Budget Summary - Environmental Protection (pdf * - 68K) -
Provides this entire Environmental Protection Chapter in pdf format.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back to Top
Proposed Budget Detail - Environmental Protection
Displays Proposed Budget Detail information for Environmental Protection.