The California Climate Bill Signing Ceremony, July 22, 2002, at the Presidio, San Francisco.

This is California AB 1493 -- the Pavley Law, a law limiting global warming pollution from new cars and light trucks.

Among the speakers: Stephen H. Schneider, Climatologist, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Stanford University
F. Sherwood Rowland, Nobel Laureate, Dept. of Chemistry, UC Irvine
Gray Davis, Governor
Robert Redford, Actor

On July 22, 2002, Governor Davis signed a new, first-in-the-nation law limiting global warming pollution from new cars and light trucks. The new law -- known as AB 1493 or the Pavley Law -- is also intended to save consumers money at the gas pump, through increased fuel efficiency.

This new state law could lead to cleaner cars not just in California, but nationwide, according to a Washington Post article (below). California is leading the country in the right direction.

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Calif. Takes Lead on Auto Emissions Gov. Davis to Sign Law On Pollution That May Affect All U.S. Drivers

By William Booth, The Washington Post, Monday, July 22, 2002; Page A01

LOS ANGELES -- California today will enact legislation that for the first time will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases coming from the tailpipes of all passenger vehicles sold in the state, even the beloved SUV, in a move that could change the kinds of cars Americans drive in coming years.

The new law, to be signed today by Gov. Gray Davis (D), is the first in the United States to directly affect consumers and to enlist American drivers in reducing the potential of global warming. The law addresses not the gases that cause smog but the invisible, odorless emissions that scientists say appear to be contributing to slow but risky heating of the planet.

Although the new regulations will grant engineers wide latitude for design solutions, the new greenhouse gas emission standards for California will affect drivers nationwide, because California, with its 35 million residents -- more than Canada -- represents 10 percent of the national car market.

http://www.nrdc.org/news/newsDetails.asp?nID=709