SACRAMENTO - California's groundbreaking effort to fight climate change took another big step forward Friday as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the proposed plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

It’s the most ambitious target in North America. The plan builds on the state's successful efforts to reduce emissions and outlines the most effective ways to reach the 2030 goal, including continuing California's Cap-and-Trade Program.

CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said "The plan will help us meet both our climate and our clean air goals in the coming decades and provide billions of dollars in investments to cut greenhouse gases, smog and toxic pollution in disadvantaged communities throughout the state.”

The first of three public hearings on the proposed plan will be held on January 27. The California Air Resources Board is slated hear an update at the February 16th Board meeting.

The Final 2017 Scoping Plan Update will be released in late March.

Story Date: January 24, 2017