Gov. Newsom’s Can-Do Budget Proposal for Zero-Emission Vehicles Will Reduce Costs and Deliver Enormous Benefits for Californians

“California’s state budget faces challenges but supporting climate actions that make our state more affordable and prosperous should not be among them. We are excited about Governor Newsom’s can-do proposal to make zero-emission cars more affordable. It’s an essential step to save money for Californians, cut harmful pollution, spur innovation, and support the global competitiveness of our auto industry.   

Recognizing that policies adopted in Sacramento made California the center of the clean vehicle market, we are doubling down to ensure these vehicles are affordable and accessible for all Californians. EDF remains eager to work with all stakeholders to ensure this important vision becomes reality in a manner that will save money, grow jobs, protect health, and serve as a model for other states to follow. Since transportation is the largest source of climate-altering emissions and contributes to smog and other harmful air pollution, this is an urgent problem requiring big and bold thinking from state lawmakers in their consideration of the Governor’s proposal. We encourage the Legislature to increase funding for zero-emission vehicles, including zero-emission delivery trucks and tractor trailers. 

EDF also looks forward to working with state leaders to pass a budget that ends California’s reliance on the dirtiest, most expensive sources of electricity while building community resilience to growing climate threats. Since state contracts with peaker power plants will expire at the end of the year, supporting the nation’s largest virtual power plant is a critical step to building a cleaner electricity future and saving Californians more than $200 million over the next couple years. Furthermore, we appreciate the budget proposal’s support for multibenefit land repurposing, which will help communities reduce the destructive power of drought and floods, mitigate haphazard farmland fallowing, and thoughtfully transition to sustainable groundwater management while diversifying local economies.”

–   Katelyn Roedner Sutter, California Senior Director, Environmental Defense Fund