As Hollywood actor-turned California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar prepares to depart the Golden State's highest elected office early next year, he leaves behind a pro-environment legacy including an innovative solar program, according to published reports.

Despite California's credit rating being the nation's lowest and the $25.4 billion budget deficit almost 250 percent greater than the $10.2 billion deficit he inherited in 2003 from recalled governor Gray Davis, the governor made environmental improvements a key priority. His "million solar roofs" program helped usher in widespread solar panels. By tacking on $1 to utility bills, the governor enabled businesses and homeowners to install solar panels.

He also signed AB 32 into law, which helped California emerge as the first state to implement mandatory restrictions on the emission of greenhouse gases from facilities including factories, power plants and oil refineries.

"Arnold pushed back hard against George Bush's denial of climate change," Warner Chabot, executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters, told the San Jose Mercury News. "He provided leadership and a national voice. He proved that solving climate change could be a bipartisan issue."

In 2006, California voters returned Schwarzeneggar to the governor's office on the same ballot that held his question of $42 billion in bonds devoted to upgrading infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, schools and systems providing water. Governor-elect Jerry Brown will be sworn in January 3, 2011.