California emissions law inspires Illinois

[Doondoo]

Frequently the trendsetter, California is providing the nation's most aggressive law yet in response to a growing belief, advanced by an international study this month, that mankind and its pollutants are making the planet warmer.

With Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger taking a lead role against traditional interests in his party, California will impose restrictions on just about every business to reduce carbon emissions under a law that took effect in January. Other states in the West as well as New England are devising measures, but none has passed a law as groundbreaking as the Golden State's, experts and officials said.

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In Illinois, a new committee on greenhouse gases impaneled by Gov. Rod Blagojevich is to meet for the first time this week and will look at California's newest law as a model.

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At a minimum, the California model of forcing all industries to reduce carbon emissions is inspiring Illinois officials.

"We're definitely moving down that path, and we're the first Midwestern state to do it," said Illinois EPA Director Douglas Scott, who leads the state's new 35-member greenhouse gas advisory committee.



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