C&D Recyclers Seek Clarification on Greenhouse Gas Bill

Waiting for Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers’s signature is AB 32, which focuses on greenhouse gas emissions. The bill would require the state’s Air Resources Board to adopt regulations to require reporting and verification of statewide greenhouse gas emissions and to establish a greenhouse gas emissions limit achieved by 2020 equivalent to what the state emitted in 1990. If approved, the bill would also require the board to adopt rules and regulations in an open public process to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reductions, as specified, among other requirements.

Besides the obvious effect on companies operating construction machinery, such as C&D recyclers, power plants that use C&D wood as fuel would also be covered under this law. Some recyclers are concerned that the plants may not be allowed to use the wood under the proposal and are working with the CMRA to talk with the power generating industry to receive clarification on the issue.