California State Senators Propose New Climate Change and Clean Energy Legislation

(San Francisco, CA – February 10, 2015) Today, California Senate leaders announced a new package of bills aimed at significantly advancing the state’s leadership on fighting climate change and moving towards a sustainable, clean energy economy. The bills, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), and Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) focus on setting ambitious targets for emissions reductions and clean energy solutions beyond the 2020 goals currently in state law. In January of this year, California’s Governor Jerry Brown announced a three-part, 15-year climate change agenda that includes increasing renewable energy generation, cutting petroleum use, and doubling the energy efficiency of existing buildings. The legislative package announced today lays out several key ingredients needed to reach these ambitious long-term goals, with a strong emphasis on economic growth. California’s leadership to date has already helped spur substantial growth in the clean energy economy in recent years as “green jobs” are growing ten times faster than jobs in the conventional economy.

“Pro Tem De León, along with top Senate environmental leadership, are pushing a bold agenda that will ensure California’s climate and clean energy leadership goes hand-in-hand with robust job growth and economic development,” said Lauren Faber, West Coast Political Director for Environmental Defense Fund. “Establishing long-term goals and targets is a win-win for California communities and the California economy. We look forward to partnering with the Senators and other stakeholders this year as these measures move forward.”