California Prepared For New Federal Emissions Goals

California Governor Jerry Brown says the state is on its way to meeting and exceeding new federal emissions goals set by the President. Earlier this year Brown issued an executive order to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

Mark Baldassare is President of the Public Policy Institute of California. He says Brown's actions follow a long tradition of state leaders enacting environmental laws.

"I think that California's strong efforts have been made possible because there are both Democrats and Republicans in California leadership positions over the years who have insisted that Californians have priority on environmental protection," he says.

Baldassare says California has led the way on protecting the coast, land conservation, air pollution regulations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.