Former California Assemblywoman Fran Pavley Visits Sonnenschein to Discuss Global Climate Issues

April 12, 2007

On April 12, 2007, Sonnenschein's Public Law & Policy Strategies Group welcomed former California Assemblywoman Fran Pavley to meet firm clients and friends at our Washington, D.C. office.  Ms. Pavley is the author of AB 1493, California's landmark tailpipe emission reduction bill.  She also is co-author of AB 32, California's far-reaching global warming legislation.  AB 32, known as the "Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006," requires California to cut statewide global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a reduction of about 25 percent from current projections.

During her visit to Sonnenschein, Ms. Pavley offered wide-ranging insights on the ongoing interaction between the federal and state governments on global climate issues.  Now that the Supreme Court has made clear that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) under the federal Clean Air Act, the door has opened somewhat to a greater potential for federal/state cooperation on climate change.  At the same time, states like California are unlikely to slow down in their own regulatory and policy efforts, including the establishment of caps on statewide and regional GHG emissions and other measures.