GLOBAL-WARMING RULES GET STARTED STATE REGULATORS ACT UNDER FAR-REACHING LAW.

Byline: MIKE ZAPLER

Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO -- Environmental regulators on Thursday proposed a slate of new emissions rules for the semiconductor, trucking and port industries -- measures designed to kick-start the state's compliance with its greenhouse-gas reduction law.

The new rules, which would go into effect in 2010, are among the first steps the state plans to take under Assembly Bill 32, the far-reaching global warming legislation that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed last year.

The measures released Thursday by the state Air Resources Board represent just a sliver of the overall reductions needed to reach the law's greenhouse gas targets -- a roughly 25 percent reduction by 2020 -- but environmentalists nonetheless said the proposals represent a solid step forward.

"This is just the start. We're going to need a whole package of reductions to get there," said Devra Wang, who works on energy issues for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Reaction from some of the targeted industries was muted. That may be partly because details were scant. State regulators released only one-line summaries of the rules they are mulling.

One proposal would require the semiconductor industry to cut emissions of carbon dioxide-rich PFCs, or perfluorocarbons. But many semiconductor firms have already significantly reduced their use of the ingredient, said Margaret Bruce of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which represents high-tech companies.

Other ideas the resources board said it plans to pursue would require trucks and trailers to be retrofitted so they are more aerodynamic, and docked ships would be allowed to shut off auxiliary engines by plugging into shoreside electrical outlets.

Another proposal would require auto technicians to check tire pressure, which can affect gas mileage, when they do oil changes or other maintenance.

"Each of these measures is relatively small," Mary Nichols, the resources board chairwoman, said. But they could add up to significant reductions in greenhouse gases.

Nichols said a number of other regulations are under consideration but not ready to be formally proposed.

The far more daunting challenge of the global warming law will be slashing emissions from cars and power plants -- the two biggest sources of greenhouse gases.

mzapler(at)mercurynews.com

[phone].

Clearing the air

The California Air Resources Board announced Thursday it is moving forward with six regulations to help reduce carbon emissions.

Require tuneup and oil-change technicians to ensure proper tire inflation as part of overall service.

Establish standards to reduce emissions from aerosols, tire inflators and products to clean and dust electronics products.

Require existing trucks and trailers to be retrofitted with devices that reduce aerodynamic drag.

Establish standards to reduce emissions of perfluorocarbons in the semiconductor industry.

Allow docked ships to shut off their auxiliary engines by plugging into shoreside electrical outlets or other technologies.

Ban the use of sulfur hexafluoride from nonessential applications if viable alternatives are available.

SOURCE: California Air Resources Board

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Clearing the air (see text)