| Press Release

Governor Newsom announces statewide 3,200-foot setback between communities and oil and gas drilling – The Climate Center response

Oil sites in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, by Greenpeace

Wilmington, CA — Today, Governor Newsom announced that California’s oil regulator, California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), has released a draft health and safety rule recommending a mandated 3,200-foot distance between new oil and gas extraction sites and the places where people live, work, and play. According to the Associated Press, the 32,400 wells within … Read more

| Press Release

Oil pipeline spills 126,000 gallons off the coast of Orange County – The Climate Center response

Major Oil Spill Fouls Southern California Beaches

On Sunday, October 3, an oil pipeline operated by Beta Offshore — a California subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy Corporation — spilled at least 126,000 gallons into the Pacific Ocean. Oil is expected to continue washing onto local beaches for several more days, along with dead wildlife and toxic fumes.  In response, The Climate Center … Read more

| Press Release

Governor Newsom announces $15 billion down payment for climate resilience, but more is needed

September 23, 2021 — Today, Governor Newsom announced a $15 billion climate package that includes nearly $4 billion for electric vehicles, $5 billion for drought management, and $1.5 billion for wildfires, forest management, and prescribed burns in the state of California. In response, The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen said: “We are grateful to Governor … Read more

| Press Release

California legislative session ends with a whimper – The Climate Center response

Capitol Building in Sacramento

September 13, 2021 — Late Friday night, the California State Legislature adjourned for the remainder of the year. The close of the legislative session marked another year in which much-needed climate legislation was obstructed by fossil fuel corporations and their allies.  In response, Ellie Cohen, CEO of climate and energy policy nonprofit The Climate Center, … Read more

| Press Release

Governor Newsom directs CARB to explore 2035 carbon neutrality pathways – The Climate Center response

Photo by Tom Swinnen from Pexels

Santa Rosa, California, July 12, 2021 — Late on Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to explore accelerated action to reduce climate pollution. CARB will model a pathway to carbon neutrality by 2035, ten years ahead of the state’s current goal, and the CPUC … Read more