A key premise of the Institute for Local Government’s sustainability program efforts is the value of voluntary action by local agencies to undertake sustainability policy initiatives. Local agencies act within the policy context, however, of state and federal laws.

The Institute has prepared a guide that examines how the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (sometimes known by its legislative identity: AB 32) specifically affects local agencies.

See pod at right for PDF.

Understanding how AB 32 affects local agencies enables local agency officials to evaluate

1) What their agencies need to do to comply with state law, and

2) What additional sustainability activities may make sense for their local communities.

Another law, Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (sometimes known by its legislative identity: SB 375) , is worthy of local officials’ attention as it relates to sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. For the Institute for Local Government analysis of that law’s impacts on local agencies, see www.ca-ilg.org/SB375LegalAnalysis.

On September 8, 2010, the Institute hosted a webinar on legal aspects of SB 375 (the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008) and AB 32 (the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006). Download the PowerPoint of the webinar at right under Documents & Resources. Click here to view the webinar recording.