Two major climate change bills (SB 350 and SB 32) won approval this week in the California Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, and now both bills are heading to the Appropriations Committee – the final committee they’ll need to win over before they’re eligible for floor votes by the full Assembly.
In other words, we just overcame one of the final hurdles on the path to passing bold new climate change laws, thanks in no small part to thousands of CLCV members and activists! Since this legislative session began in January, CLCV supporters have sent more than 12,000 messages to state lawmakers urging them to pass legislation that would raise the bar and reassert California’s global leadership on climate change policy. Today, it’s clear that our work together is making a big difference.
After this week, the California Legislature will break for summer recess, which means SB 350 and SB 32 will face their votes in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in mid-August. Before that time comes, it’s critical that we spread the word and build public support throughout the state. The governor and legislative leaders have shown bold leadership this year. They’ve proposed ambitious goals that are both feasible and necessary to stave off the costliest effects of climate change.
With every message sent, the strength of our message grows. Spread the word: Tell your friends about the new plan to combat climate change. »
Ultimately, it’s the individual voters that will get important bills like SB 32 and SB 350 passed into law – because oil companies have once again ramped up their efforts to protect their profits against the bold steps necessary to confront climate change. Industry associations have recently rebooted their PR machines and front groups yet again. But we know Californians are on our side, and we need as many people as possible to urge their legislators to support meaningful climate laws.
Tell your friends that you’re supporting Senate Bill 32 (Pavley) and Senate Bill 350 (de León) to combat climate change, reduce pollution, create clean energy jobs, and ensure that all California communities are prepared for the future. Specifically, these important bills call for bold but achievable new climate goals:
- Increase from one-third to 50 percent our electricity derived from renewable sources
- Reduce today’s petroleum use in cars and trucks by up to 50 percent
- Double the energy efficiency of existing buildings
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050
As our state legislature winds down for summer recess, Governor Jerry Brown is preparing to bring California climate leadership into the global spotlight once again. Governor Brown will visit the Vatican this month, having been invited by Pope Francis to share the lessons and opportunities Californians have gained through bold leadership on climate issues.
“This unprecedented gathering of global leaders is a wake-up call to face up to the common threats of climate change and human exploitation,” Governor Brown said in a statement Thursday. “This is about the future of humanity and how we as human beings live and treat one another and the natural world around us.”
Back here at home, we’ll be doing our part to push the climate movement forward, and we’re counting on you to stick with us and see these bills through their final votes.Thank you for helping make a difference in the fight against climate change.
