SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statement in response to the end of legislative session. Governor Newsom will have until October 12 to sign the bills sent to his desk.
Statement from Melissa Romero, Policy Advocacy Director, California Environmental Voters:
“State leaders were able to cobble together some climate wins at the end of session that show they have a vision and commitment to solving issues around grid regionalization (AB 825) and energy affordability (SB 254) at a time when the federal government is attacking working people. At the same time, the Legislature included important reforms to their cap and invest extension but missed opportunities to significantly improve emissions reductions and sent bills that undermine local clean air rules (SB 34) and contained giveaways to Big Oil (SB 237) to the Governor’s desk.
This year started with communities being devastated by a massive unnatural disaster in Los Angeles. In any other moment, a tragedy like that would have defined policymaking in the Legislature for years to come. It’s shocking that the focus of conversation this year has been around how we prop up the oil industry because of refineries closing, which was always part of the plan to transition away from fossil fuels. The truth is California is falling short. Our leaders must address skyrocketing energy, housing, food, and insurance costs by focusing on solutions that address a root cause of the affordability crisis: a changing climate.
It’s been a difficult year for everyone. It’s not an easy time to lead, but this is the first year of a two-year session. Next year, we need the Legislature to prioritize policies that protect endangered species habitats, conserve protected lands, and reinstate community protections (SB 131 cleanup), implement a statewide indirect source rule, fully fund zero emission cars, trucks, and public transportation, reduce demand on oil and gas, hold Big Oil accountable for the insurance affordability crisis, and make polluters pay. Voters demand it, and California has a responsibility to lead as the fourth largest economy in the world and as the only jurisdiction able to carry us forward.”
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CONTACT:
Erika Guzman Cornejo
(310) 755-1615
erika@envirovoters.org
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. See more press releases.
