Both bills related to these new mandates are now on the desk of Governor Jerry Brown, who already pledged to sign them.
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An effort to extend the 2006 climate change legislation fell 4 votes short of passing in June, due to bipartisan opposition from moderate Democrats in the State Senate.
California may already be the U.S. state with the most ambitious climate targets, but it is now set to stretch its emissions goal even further with the introduction of new binding targets to slash emissions to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.
With leadership from Senate President pro Tem Kevin De León, Senator Pavley, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and Assembly Members Eduardo Garcia and Jimmy Gomez – and the well-crafted response to concerns around transparency, equity, and legislative oversight of state agencies charged with implementation – our leaders in Sacramento are showing the world that California can be “progressive and prosperous at the same time”.
Supporters say that emissions rules have created new jobs and led to billions of dollars of investment in California’s clean energy sector.
California is still on track to meet its 2020 emissions goals, which call upon the state to reduce emissions back to 1990 levels. “CBEA applauds the legislature and the lovernor for their work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, said Julee Malinowski-Ball, executive director of the CBEA.
“The changes it has brought to our economy are unforgiveable”, she said.
Both climate bills are silent on the question of what policy mechanisms – such as cap and trade – should be used to achieve the 2030 goal.
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Lawmakers did not address a central threat to the state’s carbon cap-and-trade program from the California Chamber of Commerce, which has filed a lawsuit arguing that the state’s quarterly carbon permit auctions amount to an illegal tax on businesses.
