California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders agreed on a plan reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from California electric power plants, refineries and other sources by 25% by the year 2020. If it receives final approval, California would be the first state to fight global warming by enforcing restrictions on emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Those who opposed the plan labelled the bill as a "job killer." Business interests, particularly oil companies, felt abandoned and accused Schwarzenegger and Democrats of going behind closed doors to produce a haphazard bill that could result in economic chaos.

But the Republican governor said "The success of our system will be an example for other states and nations to follow as the fight against climate change continues." The compromise immediately turned Schwarzenegger into the poster boy of the growing movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to this, Schwarzenegger signed a cooperative agreement on greenhouse gases with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

What's up with the Terminator? Not everyone is convinced Arnold is turning green. Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College says, "It isn't the top issue, but for Schwarzenegger, it raises the comfort level of Democrats and Independents. Signing this bill makes the political climate more hospitable to the governor."