California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package last weekto reduce California’s carbon emissions, and increase its reliance upon clean energy.
According to the Associated Press, the new laws include provisions that aim to reduce oil and gas pollution in communities of color and expand clean energy jobs. They also accelerate the state’s timeline of obtaining most of its electricity from renewable sources.
California will also be required to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 under the new bills. This means that the state will eliminate as much carbon as it emits.
“This month has been a wake-up call for all of us that later is too late to act on climate change. California isn’t waiting any more,” Newsom shared. “Together with the Legislature, California is taking the most aggressive action on climate our nation has ever seen. We’re cleaning the air we breathe, holding the big polluters accountable, and ushering in a new era for clean energy. That’s climate action done the California Way – and we’re not only doubling down, we’re just getting started.”
This is the latest step in California’s aggressive strategy to shift away from traditional energy sources. The state declared in August that it would prohibit the sale of new gasoline vehicles beginning in 2035.
In a press release, the claim is that these new measures will raise the bar for all governments across the U.S.
Either we could discuss the ideal world and then protest it or we can make tangible progress. Newsom stated this at a press conference. It’s the only jurisdiction that can do what California is doing.
Both the oil industry as well as environmentalists have criticized Newsom’s plan. Food and Water Watch California is a non-profit that aims to address climate and water issues. They opposed one of the packages that allows carbon capture. Carbon capture technology is a method of removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it underground. Critics say the technology is dangerous and unproven. It also allows oil companies to continue releasing carbon according to the API.
In a statement, Chirag G. Bhakta, Director of Food and Water Watch California stated that carbon capture is a smokescreen used by fossil fuel industry players to protect themselves at the expense our climate and communities.
TheWrap sources claim that Newsom “undeniably and unequivocally” plans to run for President in 2024, but only if President Biden does not seek a second term.
Newsom is definitely working to make a name for himself.
The package that was recently signed includes:
– Carbon Neutrality
– Protect Communities Against Oil Drilling
– 100% Clean Electric Grid
– Capturing and Removing Carbon Pollution
– Nature-Based Solution
Last week, Governor Newsom signed legislation to protect Californians against more severe and frequent heat waves caused by climate change. California’s world-leading regulation, which will see the end of all new gas-powered cars by 2035, has just been followed by this month’s legislative action.
Governor Newsom requested that the state ensures that the 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan complies with the 2030 Climate Goal and State Carbon Neutrality by 2045. He also asked that the final plan include new efforts to promote offshore wind, clean fuels and carbon removal, as well as addressing methane leakage.
His legislation is certainly different. The question is: has he gone too far? Many states claim that he’s gone too far, and there are many questioning whether he will hurt the various industries he’s looking to protect. Only time will tell on this one.
