California, Ontario Ink Deal on Greenhouse Gases

Governor Schwarzenegger of California and Ontario's premier, Dalton McGuinty, signed agreements to cut greenhouse-gas emissions and boost stem-cell research.

Mr. McGuinty will require cars in Canada's most populous province to have 10% fewer emissions by 2020, equivalent to a reduction of 700,000 cars, the premier's office said in a statement on Canada NewsWire yesterday. Mr. McGuinty also pledged $27.9 million for cancer stem-cell research.

The agreement aims to "coordinate policies on fuel standards," according to the statement, which didn't say how the agreement will be enforced.

The Ontario-California accord adds to initiatives that put local governments ahead of national leaders in stemming emissions of the gases blamed for rising global temperatures. Mr. Schwarzenegger has pushed America for two years to let his state regulate carbon-dioxide emissions. California, an economy about the size of Canada's, last week asked regulators for permission to set its own environmental rules.

Messrs. McGuinty and Schwarzenegger also agreed to collaborate on initiatives to increase the use of "clean energy technologies," establish a North American emissions trading system, and promote energy-efficient systems in buildings. The politicians met in Toronto yesterday.

Starting with 2009 models, the California governor wants to cut carbon dioxide emissions from passenger vehicles by 18% below current levels before 2020. With 12% of all new light vehicle sales in America, California said it needs federal approval by October 24 to give carmakers enough time to comply with that timeline.