SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement after the California Air Resources Board today released a preliminary draft of the nation’s first cap-and-trade program, furthering the state’s goals under the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006:

“California has led the nation and the world in developing green policies and programs, and we are continuing to take action with a first-in-the-nation cap-and-trade program. We have seen our green economy grow along with California’s green initiatives, and I have no doubt the nation’s first cap-and-trade program will also drive innovation and generate green jobs. I look forward to a program in California that achieves our environmental goals and boosts our economy and I applaud the California Air Resources Board for laying the groundwork in developing a program with flexibility to achieve emission reductions at lower costs.”

Under Governor Schwarzenegger’s leadership, California has enacted some of the most ambitious policies to fight climate change, promote clean energy and alternative fuel, and create green jobs. The Governor enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), establishing a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. And, by executive order, the Governor enacted the world’s first Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), requiring fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in the state, dramatically expanding the market for alternative fuels.

Additionally, this year Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order directing the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations increasing California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 33 percent by 2020. These policies will help create a cleaner environment for future generations by reducing carbon emissions.