Additional requirements for reduction by 2030 will help make it possible for California to reach the ultimate goal of reducing emissions to 80 percent under 1990 levels by 2050. It set a new goal to cut emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Jerry Brown on Thursday charted a new goal to further cut carbon pollution by extending and expanding the landmark climate change law.
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“In the 10 years since AB 32 was voted into law, California’s clean energy economy has grown faster than any other state in the country and has attracted $27 billion in private equity capital, funding cleantech companies that have created over 500,000 California jobs”, the letter said.
In order for California to remain an economic and environmental leader the state will need to also be a trailblazer on issues related to equity, adds Mr. Garcia.
A decade ago, California vowed to dramatically slash greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Last year, Brown’s plans appeared in the lurch when business-friendly Democrats backed by the oil industry defeated an earlier version of the Pavley’s climate bill.
A news release from Garcia says the legislation also requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to prioritize direct emission reductions and consider potential impacts when adopting regulations to reduce GHG emissions. “The successful effort behind these two bills is the latest sign of a growing consensus that protecting the environment and improving public health are inextricably linked and that maintaining that link is key to advancing future environmental actions”. “It’s very clear that it’s going to require new tech and new fuels”, he said. SB 32 codifies an executive order Brown issued previous year.
Extending AB 32’s carbon reduction targets will not only increase energy efficiency and renewable generation in the state; it will also make California business more competitive in the USA and overseas, it continued.
Brown signed another bill, AB197, that gives lawmakers more oversight of regulators and provides aid to low-income or minority communities located near polluting facilities such as oil refineries and factories.
He said the legislative analyst also questioned the state’s methodology for calculating emission reductions. Almost every legislative district in the state is feeling climate disruptions effects already..
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The cap-and-trade program, however, has hit some stumbles ― of the 96 million credits for sale at the last auction, just 30.8 million sold.
