Gov Newsom Signs Strong Climate Package that Secures California’s Leadership for Decades

(Vallejo, CA — September 16, 2022) Today, Governor Newsom signed into law an array of environmental bills, including a suite of ambitious climate measures designed to tackle the urgent climate crisis head-on. These measures codify the state’s commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, create a framework for the responsible deployment of carbon capture as a climate strategy, and establish a health and safety setback around oil and gas wells. 

“Governor Newsom has solidified his role as a climate leader and, together with the State Legislature, secured California’s position at the front of the pack of ambitious states. Recognizing the accelerating threat of climate change, as well as the opportunities from the Inflation Reduction Act, California is seizing this moment to elevate its climate fight. 

“Now, California needs to implement these measures swiftly to drive down emissions this decade and equitably to ensure they improve the lives of all Californians, especially those at greatest risk from climate impacts and pollution.

“With the adoption of these essential climate and equity measures, California continues to build a resilient and climate-safe future for all residents, while providing a model for other states.” 

• Katelyn Roedner Sutter, Senior Manager, U.S. Climate at EDF

Background on three of the key bills signed today: 

1.  The California Climate Crisis Act (AB 1279, Muratsuchi)

This legislation codifies California’s commitment to achieve net-zero by no later than 2045. This enables the legislature, communities and businesses to start long-term planning, with certainty, for a safer future today. Critically, this goal requires California to slash emissions by 85% — ensuring the state uses solutions at our fingertips now to sharply cut pollution from industrial facilities, vehicles, power plants and more, even as the state starts to build out necessary carbon removal strategies.

2.  Framework for carbon capture with community protections (SB 905, Caballero & Skinner)

This bill establishes a framework to enable the deployment of carbon capture technology to reduce emissions from stationary sources, with the inclusion of essential community protections and environmental integrity provisions. Solutions meant to reduce emissions should not harm local air quality or public health, especially in communities historically overburdened by pollution. 

3.  Health and safety setbacks around oil wells (SB 1137, Gonzalez & Limon)

Governor Newsom directed the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) to establish a regulation to create a public health and safety setback around oil wells in 2021. With this legislation, this policy is now enshrined in law. California’s environmental justice leaders have been advocating for this policy for years, and state leaders have finally taken decisive action to protect public health.