SACRAMENTO – (INT) – California smog fighters are cheering the latest figures on greenhouse gas pollution.

It’s fallen below 1990 levels for the first time since emissions peaked in 2004. That’s comparable to taking 12 million cars off the road or saving 6 billion gallons of gasoline a year.

The 2016 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory issued Wednesday by the State Air Resources Board (CARB) shows that California emitted 429 million metric tons of climate pollutants in 2016--a drop of 12 million metric tons, or three percent, from 2015.

Looking ahead, Governor Brown said “The next step is for California to cut emissions below 1990 levels by 2030 – a heroic and very ambitious goal.”

“We are well positioned to meet the challenge of the 2030 target,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols.

Story Date: July 22, 2018