Statement: California legislative session brings a mix of good, bad and disappointing for climate affordability action

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Legislature concluded its business for the year with mixed results for California families looking to the State Capitol for leadership providing relief from the climate affordability crisis.

“Californians want to be part of climate solutions. While our nation’s leaders embrace failed policies fanning inflation and fueling the climate crisis, all eyes are on Sacramento to back proven solutions. This year was a bit of good, bad, and disappointing.

“With hotter temperatures and volatile water supplies becoming the norm, we are happy to see $64 million invested in the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program to help farm communities diversify rural economies vulnerable to haphazard fallowing. Unfortunately, state leaders failed to seize a climate affordability two-fer. Despite strong support among lawmakers and extreme heat closing schools across the Southland, the state’s only HVAC grant program for schools was not extended to serve more students who need cool, clean air. By refusing to harness millions of dollars in interest collected on hoarded HVAC funds to boost a virtual power plant created through Demand Side Grid Support Program, California won’t end its reliance on the most expensive, dirty sources of electricity this year as peaker power plant contracts expire.

“We agree Californians deserve more than the results of wildfire negotiations. The complexity of the issues at stake demands a thorough, public vetting for transformative change to take root. We look forward to working on solutions to reduce wildfire risks, contain costs for families, and ensure future reforms translate into results.”

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