Wednesday 21 September 2022

California governor signs sweeping climate measures into law

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of climate legislation into law as part of his efforts to reduce pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

The record $54 billion (£47.5bn) California Climate Commitment includes the goal to achieve statewide carbon-neutrality “as soon as possible” and no later than 2045 and establishes an 85% emissions reduction target.

It is also targeting 90% clean energy by 2035, 95% by 2040 and 100% clean electricity by 2045.

In addition, it establishes a regulatory framework for carbon removal and carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration (CCUS) and bans the practice of injecting carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery.

https://twitter.com/CAgovernor/status/1572363201895071746

Over the next two decades, the climate package is expected to create four million new jobs, cut pollution by 60%, reduce state oil consumption by 91% and save the state around $23 billion (£20bn) by avoiding the damages of pollution.

Fossil fuel use in buildings and transportation is also expected to be reduced by 92% and refinery pollution by 94%.

Governor Newsom said: “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.

“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.”