Last year, Cap and Invest (formerly known as Cap and Trade) was one of the hottest topics in California politics. After intense negotiations, the program was reformed and reauthorized through 2045. But that’s not where this story ends. Cap and Invest, California’s signature climate program that launched in 2013, is a market-based system designed to … Read more
California’s status as a top oil-producing state has long been at odds with our reputation for environmental leadership. As the consequences of burning fossil fuels have become clear and clean energy becomes more economically competitive, oil production has declined since the 1980s. But the geographic divide is stark and the industry isn’t going down without … Read more
In 2022 and 2024, Governor Newsom called two special sessions of the California legislature to address refinery closures, gasoline supply, and gas prices. In both special sessions, legislation was enacted to help navigate the transition to zero-emission transportation. In these special sessions, Governor Newsom championed solutions to address the transition away from fossil fuels. Unfortunately, … Read more
Is it getting hotter where you live? You’re not alone. Temperatures have reached life-threatening highs across North America, Europe, and Asia in the last month. The combination of climate change and a developing Super El Niño — a weather pattern in which increased heat and moisture from the oceans rise into the atmosphere — means … Read more
California is in what experts are calling a mid-transition away from fossil fuels, meaning neither the declining fossil fuel-based energy system nor the emerging clean energy economy are entirely stable or self-sustaining. To help navigate the transition to zero-emission transportation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission (CEC) were tasked with producing … Read more
With California’s gubernatorial primary outcome now settled, Xavier Becerra will face off against Steve Hilton to determine who will succeed Gavin Newsom. Big Oil, investor-owned utilities, and other corporate interests poured more than $50 million into Becerra’s campaign so far. Becerra indicated that he’d support delaying California’s 2045 climate targets, despite having led the state’s … Read more
There’s nothing like connecting with colleagues, experts, and friends from all over the state in person! I am so grateful to the more than 400 of you who joined us on Monday for the 2026 California Climate Policy Summit in Sacramento. What a special and inspiring day together! If you couldn’t join us, please take … Read more
On April 13, 2026, more than 400 elected officials, climate activists, business leaders, environmental justice advocates, scientists, and policy experts gathered for the fifth annual California Climate Policy Summit. Thank you to all of you who joined us and supported this event! Read The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen’s opening remarks below: Welcome everyone, and … Read more
On February 23, 2026, the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies held a hearing on the reauthorization of Cap and Invest, California’s climate program. The following testimony was given to the committee by Allison Hilliard, Legislative Manager for The Climate Center: I want to align my comments with NRDC’s and add that the proposed … Read more
A new report by The Climate Center finds that, between 2013 and 2024, California funneled $27.8 billion to corporate polluters through two state climate programs designed to cut climate pollution: the Cap and Invest program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). These funds were intended to incentivize low-carbon transportation, including electric vehicles and public … Read more
