California sets key climate targets

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http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0622215620071207

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California on Thursday set key emissions targets and became the first state to require heavy industries to report their greenhouse gases, major steps in its landmark law to reduce global warming.

Starting in 2008, owners of power plants, oil refineries, cement plants and other big polluters will tell the state how much carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases they spew. By 2010, those reports will be independently verified.

Also on Thursday, the California Air Resources Board set a specific emissions target for the state to meet by 2020 .

The CARB's actions were required by 2006 legislation signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calling for a rollback of emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a cut of nearly 30 percent from the estimated level if no actions were taken to curb emissions.

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