The Climate Center 
Last year, Governor Newsom set aside $40 million to in a fund to support displaced oil and gas workers and an additional $20 million for a pilot program to train displaced oil and gas workers in Kern and Los Angeles counties for abandoned oil well abatement. Facing a projected $31.5 billion deficit this year, the … Read more
Facing a projected overall budget deficit of $31.5 billion, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on May 12, 2023, that he intends to follow through on his January proposal to cut $6 billion from climate and energy programs in California’s state budget. If approved by the legislature, that would bring California’s multi-year climate spending down to $48 … Read more
The 2022-23 state budget cycle committed nearly $1 billion to retrofit existing buildings in low-income communities and provide consumer rebates for building upgrades. This program is essential for addressing inequities and disproportionate pollution impacts for lower-income communities and communities of color, all while ensuring robust tenant protection, anti-displacement, and workforce standards. But Governor Newsom is … Read more
On December 15, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously to adopt new rules for how residential rooftop solar customers, schools, churches, farms, and businesses will be compensated for the electricity they deliver back to the grid. Pressure from corporate utilities resulted in a proposal that will slash the rate paid to these … Read more
Update: On March 28, 2023 Governor Newsom signed SBX 1-2 into law, giving state regulators the power to penalize oil companies for making too much money, the first of its kind in the country. Under the new law, the California Energy Commission has the authority to impose a penalty if oil company profits surpassed a … Read more
On September 16, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1137 into law. The law protects public health and safety by banning new oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive sites. This law was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2023 — but the oil and gas … Read more
The California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) updated Scoping Plan, the state’s five-year climate blueprint, will play a key role in determining the direction of California’s climate policy. California must lead the way with bold, accelerated, and equitable climate policies. With CARB’s December deadline looming, The Climate Center and our allies are urging the agency to: … Read more
Update November 16, 2022: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its final Scoping Plan, the state’s five-year roadmap for achieving its climate goals. After months of consultation with climate experts and advocates, as well as intervention from Governor Newsom, the plan reflects some significant improvements. These include a commitment to avoid the buildout of … Read more
It’s been a breakthrough year for climate action in California. Take a moment to thank Governor Gavin Newsom for signing these key bills into law!
As California responds to the climate crisis, new industries will grow and others will shrink. Research shows that hundreds of thousands of permanent jobs will be created by working towards state climate stabilization targets. At the same time, jobs in legacy industries — oil, gas, and refineries, for example — are likely to decline. Ensuring … Read more
