Skip the Taxes (Green for Green)

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proved yet again how serious he is about getting his state to be the cleanest and 'greenest.'

On March 24 he signed into law (SB 71) a new sales-tax exemption for companies buying renewable energy or other "clean technology" manufacturing equipment in the state. This tax exemption is a part of the Governor's California Jobs Initiative, a legislative package that he says will create or retain at least 100,000 jobs.

The bill "sends a clear message to every entrepreneur and innovator that it pays to invest in a clean future for California," Schwarzenegger said.

And many companies have invested in environmental technology, as California is the home to 10,209 clean-tech companies which produce biofuels, electric cars, energy storage devices, solar power and other technologies.

Some of the Governor's other green programs include:

* Million Solar Roofs Initiative: The $2.9 billion incentive plan for home and building owners who install solar electric systems, known as the California Solar Initiative, will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018, provide 3,000 megawatts of clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million tons.

* Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: The Act established a comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The law will reduce carbon emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020.

* Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS): California's LCFS requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in the state, dramatically expanding the market for alternative fuels. To start, the LCFS will reduce carbon content in all passenger vehicle fuels sold in California by at least 10% by 2020 and more thereafter.

* Renewable Portfolio Standard: This Executive Order directs the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations increasing California's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 33% by 2020.

* Automobile Emissions Standards: After years of fighting the federal government for the authority to implement our greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted California's waiver and the Obama Administration adopted it for the country.

For information visit the Governor's website