As the president dismantles climate progress and much more, California’s bold climate leadership is needed more urgently than ever. That’s why I’m especially excited about these three new climate bills before California’s state legislature.
The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act — introduced as SB 684 (Menjivar) in the Senate and AB 1243 (Addis) in the Assembly — would ensure that polluters pay their fair share for climate damages. The Los Angeles fires alone cost an estimated $250 billion. Californians are also dealing with sky-high insurance rates, utility bills, and housing costs exacerbated by the climate crisis. It’s time to make Big Oil pay for the high price tag of climate destruction instead of taxpayers. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act will help pay for recovery from climate disasters and investments in climate solutions, from clean energy to climate-friendly agriculture. This is a top priority for The Climate Center, working with lead bill sponsors California Environmental Voters, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California.
Second, SB 279 (McNerney) would increase on-farm and community composting. This is especially critical for farmers now that California has banned almost all agricultural burning. Scaling up composting is essential for drawing down carbon from the atmosphere, improving soil health, replenishing groundwater, building resilience to increasingly extreme weather, and reducing methane emissions from landfills. The Climate Center is co-sponsoring this bill along with the People, Food, and Land Foundation, California Alliance for Community Composting, Californians Against Waste, Western Tree Nut Association, and California Association of Winegrape Growers.
Finally, AB 740 (Harabedian) will accelerate the use of virtual power plants (VPPs), networks of distributed energy resources like smart thermostats, home batteries, and electric vehicles. These networks can deliver low-cost, clean energy solutions to help prevent dangerous blackouts and strengthen our power grid. VPPs also allow participating homes and businesses to earn money while creating savings for all electricity customers. A recent study found that VPPs can reduce the need for new power plants and upgrades for poles and wires, saving California taxpayers $550 million per year! This bill is co-sponsored by Advanced Energy United, Environment California, and The Climate Center.
These three bills are critical to California’s future as we face the twin threats of an anti-science administration in DC and a rapidly worsening climate crisis.
Please take a moment now to tell your representatives to pass the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act if you haven’t yet. You can also check out our bill tracker for information on other climate and energy bills currently before the state legislature.
This blog first appeared in The Climate Center’s bi-weekly newsletter. To keep up with the latest climate news and ways to take action for a climate-safe future, subscribe today!
