California Implements More Ambitious Climate Agenda
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law several bills that follow his climate proposals for more aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy sources.
On September 16, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a series of climate and energy bills that follow much of the enhanced climate program that he presented to the state legislature in August. The bills implement an ambitious climate policy that sets a more aggressive net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target, sets interim goals on the course to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2045, establishes a carbon removal and storage program, and establishes natural carbon removal targets.
In signing the legislation, Newsom emphasized the state’s global climate leadership. “There’s no other jurisdiction in the world, think about that, that’s doing what the state of California’s doing,” he said. “This is about law, this is not about ambition, this is not an executive order, this is not a promotion, this is a promise that we now need to deliver,” he 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,” Newsom said. “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,” he said. “That’s climate action done the California Way – and we’re not only doubling down, we’re just getting started.”
Net-Zero GHG Emissions by 2045
A.B. 1279, known as the California Climate Crisis Act, establishes a target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as soon as possible but no later than 2045 and net negative GHG emissions after 2045. The act also sets the goal to reduce statewide anthropogenic GHG emissions at least 85% below the 1990 level by 2045. (For more details, see California Sets More Aggressive Net-Zero Emissions Target.) Newsom had proposed establishing a “clear and legally binding” goal for California to achieve statewide carbon neutrality no later than 2045 along with a GHG reduction target of 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. A.B. 2133, legislation to set that GHG reduction target passed the senate but failed to pass the assembly.
Interim Targets on Course to 100% Clean Energy by 2045
S.B. 1020, known as the Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act, establishes that renewable and zero carbon sources make up 90% of the state’s electricity by 2035 and 95% by 2040. These are interim targets toward achieving the existing state policy that requires 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2045. Newsom had proposed to create clean electricity targets of 90% by 2035 and 95% by 2040. (For more details, see California Sets Interim Clean Energy Targets on Path to 2045 Goal.)
Carbon Removal and Storage Program
S.B. 905 establishes a Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage Program. Among several provisions, the bill requires CARB to adopt regulations by January 1, 2025 for a unified permit application for the construction and operation of carbon dioxide capture, removal, or sequestration projects to expedite the issuance of permits or other authorizations for the construction and operation of those projects. The bill also requires state agencies to use the unified permit application when issuing permits or other authorizations for a carbon dioxide capture, removal, or sequestration project. Newsom had proposed establishing a regulatory framework for carbon capture projects. (For more details, see California Establishes Program to Support Carbon Removal and Storage Technologies.)
Natural Carbon Removal Targets
A.B. 1757 requires the state to set targets for natural carbon removal and storage in vegetation and soils and through restoration and conservation. This bill requires CARB to develop standard methods for state agencies to consistently track greenhouse gas emissions and reductions, carbon sequestration, and, where feasible, additional benefits from natural and working lands over time. The bill also requires CARB to take into account, where feasible, greenhouse gas emissions and reductions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide related to natural and working lands and the potential impacts of climate change on the ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon from natural and working lands. Newsom had proposed developing carbon removal target for natural and working lands.