** In a spectacular ceremony on Treasure Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California’s landmark anti-global warming bill, AB 32, which he negotiated with Democratic legislative leaders, environmentalists and new economy leaders, and the bill’s authors, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and LA Assemblywoman Fran Pavley. I was there, of course, and you will have a full report later along with a video documentary.
New York Governor George Pataki was there and pledged to work with California on climate change.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair joined in by satellite from Manchester, England, speaking to the assembled guests and media on a giant video screen with the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop.
The Japanese consul general was also on hand to read a letter of support from Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Schwarzenegger, introduced by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who lauded the former action superstar for his “vision and leadership,” spoke, as did other participants, of California providing a model for the rest of the nation and perhaps the world. The governor, who talked of a new generation of new technologies to be spurred into being by the fight against global warming, spoke with flags from all the world’s nations to his right, a giant video screen to his left, and the skyline of San Francisco directly behind him.
Sorry you didn’t get a real time blogging report or at least an on-site report. Between the smartphone and the vidcam, my right hand is seriously tired out, especially after shooting nearly an hour of handheld video. (Typing on the blackberry is done with the thumbs. By the time I was finished shooting this morning I could barely operate the zoom function.)
The bill signing is being replicated right now in LA, but of course the bill became law this morning in San Francisco.
** California’s landmark anti-global warming law will be signed this morning on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ceremony is set to begin at 10:45 AM Pacific time. It will be webcast live. Schwarzenegger will be joined by the bill’s authors, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and LA Assemblywoman Fran Pavley and a host of dignitaries, including New York Governor George Pataki. AB 32 commits California to cutting the state’s greenhouse gas emissions back to the 1990 level by 2020. NWN will provide a video documentary of the event.
** Track global and national energy prices in near real time via Bloomberg. Crude oil prices have risen very slightly on word that OPEC members are discussing ways to “stabilize the market.” The price continues to hover at or just above the sixty dollar per barrel mark.
Read 
| Comments (23) |
What’s Angelides doing today?
Thinking about his future…
Just read the CMP on the bill signing…This is going down with a great deal of fanfare! It is a great day for California! The CMR post rightly points out that only one Reep legislator voted for this bill…this,and the REEP legislators mean-spirited stance toward immigrant children,foster children, their vote against Antonio’s school reform, and the boycott of Mexico’s Pres.Fox are all reasons why I think Arnold now will now be my only REEP vote…I do not what the REEPS in the legislature feeling more empowered so I hope a great many people feel the way I do…Sorry Poizner, and McPherson, who both appear to be moderates but you guys along with Duf and Arnold are not doing enough to moderate the Buchanites and the hyper- conservative base in the CRP…
I don’t think Angelides is doing public events, though i suppose I could double check.
He is doing another anti-war rally at a colllege campus tomorrow, in his home town, and I will shoot it for you.
Angelides doing nothing, for once doing the right thing. lol
Mr. Bradley: “Mayor Gavin Newsom, who lauded the former action superstar for his “vision and leadership,”
Well, at least Mayor Gavin Newsom got it right this time…unlike what he was saying about Arnold only a few weeks ago when he was showboating (I assume to impress Labor) as Angelides main DEM cheerleader!
Reuters 9/4/06″But San Francisco’s Democratic Mayor Gavin Newsom called Schwarzenegger a “chameleon” and told the San Francisco Chronicle that “by no means has he shown leadership on those issues. … He’s been reactive.”9/4/06 Reuters
Mayor Newsom and Governor Schwarzenegger appeared quite chummy, as you will see. Not surprising, since Newsom lauded Schwarzenegger earlier this year in a Sacramento interview and hosted the governor’s Climate Action Summit at San Francisco City Hall.
This seems an historic day. I understand that Gov. Schwarzenegger will also sign the anti-coal energy bill.
Well, yes.
I actually reported that months ago, that Schwarzenegger favored requiring that imported electric power meet greenhouse gas emission standards, ie., not come from regular coal-fired plants.
He will sign the bill by Senate President Don Perata.
I was downtown at Spataro for lunch with girlfriends who while not political, consider themselves environmentalists,rank and file members in major state and natl organizations, while they were aware of legislation, they were oblivious to today’s event. There appears no buzz in the air about this really historical piece of legislation being signed into law anywhere, with any conversation I heard or had…maybe tomorrow there will be with press and TV coverage…but I wonder how much this really resonates with the public at large…How many people will really read the articles all the way to the end tomorrow…I would have thought the local TV stations would consider breaking in for parts of it… as the cast of players, Arnold, Nunez and Newsom are all telegenic, and political stars… it was in scenic SF,its groundbreaking legislation etc…
I guess I am a little disappointed …there is so much apathy for so many things…
The world goes whizzing by …
The truth is that California TV stations don’t give up air time, they jack up prices for air time.
The TV stations are THE worst.
I lived for a while in southwest Oregon. Local television was from Medford, and a lot of the “news” people were recent graduates of places like Southern Oregon State and Humboldt State, just getting started. I liked their enthusiasm, but thought I was probably seeing the bottom of the barrel as far as TV news went.
Now my local television is from Los Angeles. Their news people could learn a lot from the Medford kids. Local LA TV news is a collage of animated press releases, static coverage of long-scheduled events, and ambulance chasing.
Didn’t Arnold take some oil money today too?
New poster, don’t be so shy. If you are know something, spill it.
Trying to say the new law is a fake?
I probably shouldn’t get into LA Tv too much.
DC that is public information available on the Sec of State’s website….Bill I think the media blew it today not covering the bill signing event in SF…geez with even PM Blair via video you’d think there would be some coverage besides yours of course:) There was much media attention about this bill so I find it ludicrous that not one major network or cable channel covered it…they do have to do public service as part of their FCC license requirements but air time is valuable and profitable especially this time of year in CA…Bill whatever you say about LA TV is probably priceless and on target so please share if you can or want to. I don’t even watch local news anymore in LaLa Land anymore it’s so bad….they do however cover all the car chases well….other than that it’s worthless…please take care of your hand too
Actually, there was a ton of media on Treasure Island. I was not exactly alone.
I have seen very little since I got home tonight on any coverage hence my comments…I’ll be curious to see what I read tomorrow on this event…wonder how much coverage this got in Malibu today? I like the fact both locations are very scenic and reconizable to all…good advance work there
I was just pointing out the irony
And yet without telling us much.
In LA, if you want news, watch Channel 4, listen to KCLU or KPCC, or read the Daily News or the Times online (don’t waste fifty cents on it). All other sources of news are either inconsistent (like the LA Weekly) or nonexistent (like channels 2, 5, 9, 11, and 13… I give 7 a pass because it’s in HD).
At last! Someone who undresandts! Thanks for posting!