SACRAMENTO -- San Bernardino County was once a state pariah to California Attorney General Jerry Brown on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

No longer. Brown today announced a "landmark settlement" between his office and the county over its growth plan, over which Brown had sued to force changes aimed at reducing GHG output. He also had encouraging words for the county he recently tussled with.

"San Bernardino now sets the pace for how local government can adopt powerful measures to combat oil dependency and climate disruption," Brown stated. He also called the county's new GHG plan "a model that I encourage other cities and counties to adopt."

County officials agreed to a 30-month deadline for cutting GHG emissions resulting from decisions by public entities. They had been seeking a settlement with the AG since May, LNL reported.

They must now compile a county-wide GHG-emissions inventory that includes 1990 and projected 2020 levels, plus public-source emissions-reduction targets. The settlement also stipulates that San Bernardino adopt a Diesel Engine Exhaust Control plan.

Brown first sued San Bernardino County in early April to force changes to its General Plan aimed at reducing GHG output, LNL reported. San Bernardino is California's largest and fastest-growing county.

The AG has since submitted formal comments to the growth plans of 11 other California jurisdictions over GHG concerns. They include the municipalities of San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento and Fresno.

In retaliation to Brown's actions, California's GOP legislators recently delayed passing the state budget until Brown agreed to back off on the growth plans. One even proposed legislation preventing plans from being blocked over GHG emissions, LNL reported.

Brown's original lawsuit, filed under the California Environmental Quality Act, said the county's General Plan "did not adequately analyze the effects of development on global warming nor did it identify feasible mitigation measures."