Legislature Passes Bills that Outline More Ambitious Climate Agenda
The California legislature passed a number of bills that outline a more aggressive goals for greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy.
The California legislature passed several new climate and energy bills that follow much of the climate program that Governor Gavin Newsom presented to the state legislature in August. The bills outline a climate policy that sets a more aggressive net-zero emissions target, sets a goal of 100% renewable energy sources by 2045, establishes a carbon removal and storage program, and establishes natural carbon removal targets.
More Aggressive Net-Zero Emissions Target
The legislature passed A.B. 1279, known as the California Climate Crisis Act, which 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. A similar bill, AB 1395, would have codified the reduction of GHG emissions by 90% below the 1990 level by 2045. The bill requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to ensure that updates to the scoping plan identify and recommend measures to achieve these policy goals. CARB is also tasked with identifying and implementing a variety of policies and strategies that enable carbon dioxide removal solutions and carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies. The operation of A.B. 1279 is contingent on the enactment of S.B. 905, which implements a carbon capture and storage program.
Newsom had proposed establishing a “clear and legally binding” goal for California to achieve statewide carbon neutrality no later than 2045. He also proposed a GHG reduction target of 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. Legislation to set that target, A.B. 2133, passed the senate but failed to pass the assembly.
100% Renewable Energy Sources by 2045
The legislation passed S.B. 1020, known as the Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act, which modifies the existing state policy that requires eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources to supply 100% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers by the end of 2045. The bill also allows retail sellers of electricity to utilize the Department of Water Resources (DWR) as a central procurement entity for eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources. The bill establishes the Climate Equity Trust Fund to help pay for the state’s decarbonization efforts. Newsom had proposed to create clean electricity targets of 90% by 2035 and 95% by 2040.
Carbon Removal and Storage Program
The legislature also passed S.B. 905, which 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.
Natural Carbon Removal Targets
The legislature also passed A.B. 1757, which 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.