California Climate Change Bills Hot Off the Floor
Media Contacts
Historic Legislative Proposals Pass through First Houses
Environment California
Sacramento – The California State Senate and Assembly took a critical step towards building a clean energy future by passing out of their houses of origin several significant bills that will continue California’s climate change leadership. The Senate bills will now move over to the Assembly for consideration and vice versa.
“California has a critical opportunity—and responsibility—to head off the worst impacts of climate change on our environment and our communities. With today’s votes, the California Legislature has indicated a commitment to tackling climate change here in California and setting an example for other states and countries to follow,” said Michelle Kinman, clean energy advocate for Environment California. “We thank Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and all of the bill authors for their leadership, and urge the Legislature to further move to pass these bills into law, for the health of our planet and our communities.”
The bills would ensure that California’s successful carbon reduction strategies extend beyond 2020 (AB 1288, Atkins) and set a specific climate pollution reduction target for 2050 (SB 32, Pavley); increase the state’s use of renewables electricity to 50 percent by 2030 (SB 350, De León and AB 645, Williams); reduce the use of petroleum by 50% by 2030 and double energy efficiency in existing buildings (SB 350, De León); and direct the country’s largest public pension funds to divest its investments beyond coal (SB 185, De León).
The full set of bills:
ASSEMBLY BILLS:
AB 645 (Williams)
Electricity: California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Advance California’s clean energy policy by increasing the percentage of renewable electricity in our state to 50% of retail sales by 2030.
AB 1288 (Atkins)
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: Regulations
Ensure effective carbon reductions beyond 2020 by reaffirming the role of California’s successful market-based strategies for cutting carbon emissions and growing clean energy.
SENATE BILLS:
SB 32 (Pavley)
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: emissions limit
Set the overarching climate pollution reduction target for 2050 that will provide California businesses with regulatory certainty, improve public health, and strengthen the economy.
SB 185 (De León)
Investing with Values and Responsibility
Focus on the future and lead by example by having the country’s largest public pension funds move its investments beyond coal.
SB 350 (De León & Leno)
Golden State Standards
Spur innovation and investment in a sustainable California by setting the following goals for 2030: 50% reduction in petroleum use; 50% utility power coming from renewable energy; 50% increase in energy efficiency in existing buildings.