What the California Legislature Achieved on Climate in 2024

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Climate progress in the California legislature in 2024 was nowhere near what is needed to address the accelerating climate crisis. 

While our leaders must do more to rein in climate pollution and challenge Big Oil’s political influence, there are signs of hope to build on. This year, climate champions introduced bills to defend and grow California’s clean energy economy as well as make polluters pay for the costs of addressing the climate crisis. SB 59 (Skinner) aims to transform California’s more than 1 million electric vehicles into a source of affordable, reliable, resilient, and clean backup power. SB 1374 (Becker), which was vetoed, would have supported schools’ and apartment dwellers’ use of solar power. And AB 1866 (Hart) was designed to require oil companies to accelerate the plugging and clean-up of their idle wells. 

In this webinar, we discussed the key climate and energy legislation that passed, bills that were watered down or failed, and strategies to increase climate ambition in California.

Presentations and Resources

Speakers

Assemblymember Gregg Hart

Assemblymember Gregg Hart

California State Assembly, District 37

Assemblymember Gregg Hart was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 37th Assembly District. With a deep understanding of local people and local issues, he is proud to have served the Santa Barbara community for more than 30 years – as a Planning Commissioner, City Council Member, California Coastal Commissioner, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor. Assemblymember Hart began his professional career as a Legislative Assistant for former State Assemblymember Jack O’Connell and went on to become the original manager of the Santa Barbara County Association of Government’s (SBCAG) Traffic Solutions program. There, he promoted local green and sustainable transportation options. Later, his expertise in this arena led him to serve as the Deputy Executive Director for SBCAG, supporting regional efforts to widen the 101 freeway and improve bus and passenger rail service throughout Santa Barbara County.

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Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson

Assemblymember, California State Assembly, District 11

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson was elected in April 2022 to represent California’s 11th Assembly District, which includes all of Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties. Assemblywoman Wilson has already sent 11 bills to the Governor’s Desk and delivered millions of dollars in state funding directly to the 11th District for housing, electric vehicle infrastructure, flood resiliency, transportation, and public safety improvements. She led the effort in the Assembly to include agriculture and nature-based climate solutions in the dialogue about the climate bond. Assemblywoman Wilson is the only Black woman in California history to be appointed Chair of the influential Assembly Transportation Committee.

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Jason Pfeifle

Senior Climate Campaigner, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund

Jason (he/him) works with the Climate Law Institute to fight pollution from oil and gas extraction. Prior to joining the Center, he led CALPIRG’s advocacy and policy work on public health issues like getting lead out of school drinking water and stopping antibiotic overuse on factory farms. He holds a doctorate in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Juan Altamirano

Director of Government Affairs for the Trust for Public Land

Juan Altamirano is the Director of Government Affairs for the Trust for Public Land, where he oversees the organization’s policies that enhance public access to land and parks. With a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and social equity, Juan works to forge partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders to advance initiatives that protect and expand public spaces. His background in public policy and passion for conservation have driven successful campaigns across various levels of government. In his free time, Juan enjoys exploring parks and natural areas, fostering a personal connection to the mission he champions professionally.

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Barry Vesser

Barry Vesser

Chief Operating Officer

Barry joined The Climate Center in 2005 and has held positions as Deputy Director and Financial Officer. He currently leads The Climate Center’s program and policy development and implementation teams. In 2018 Barry began working with a group of energy experts and advocates envisioning a more decentralized energy system that was clean, affordable, resilient, and equitable. He then championed the development of The Climate Center’s Community Energy Resilience project, which has culminated in the creation of a new $170 million Community Energy Resilience investment program by the California Energy Commission in August of 2022.

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