Press Release
August 24, 2016
Contact: Jenesse Miller, CLCV – 510.844.0235
California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) Applauds Passage of Historic Climate Package by California Assembly
Sacramento, Calif. (August 24, 2016) – CLCV applauds the California Legislature for voting to pass SB 32 yesterday and a companion bill, AB 197, today, opening a new chapter in California’s bold commitment to reduce climate pollution.
Authored by climate champion Senator Fran Pavley as a follow up to California’s landmark AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, SB 32 would set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The target codifies the standard established in the governor’s Executive Order issued last year and builds upon the existing targets set by AB 32. Companion bill AB 197 by climate champion Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia will increase equity, accountability and transparency by increasing legislative oversight of the California Air Resources Board.
“The incredible leadership of bill authors Senator Pavley and Assemblyman Garcia, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senate pro Tem Kevin de Leon, and Governor Jerry Brown, shows us once again that California’s top elected officials understand both the local and global significance of California’s landmark climate policies,” said CLCV CEO Sarah Rose.
“The passage of SB 32 and AB 197 preserve and expand California’s leadership to combat climate change head on, while making sure our most vulnerable communities also share the public health and economic benefits of our state’s leadership on climate change solutions,” continued Rose.
Despite major opposition by the oil industry, both bills passed their most difficult hurdles over the last two days: the Assembly floor. They now head to the governor’s desk; he has publicly committed to sign both.
“This victory was a team effort, with a diverse coalition of environmental and equity organizations, public health leaders, labor groups, businesses, consumers, and faith leaders all working their hearts out in order to pass SB 32 and AB 197,” said CLCV Political Director James Johnson. “It was critical to pass this package this year, knowing that keeping our state on the path to improved public health, a strong economy, and cleaner air is critical to inspiring the rest of the country and the world to follow in California’s footsteps.”
Along with advocates for clean energy, public health, and environmental justice, CLCV has been working to pass this critical bill since it was introduced last year. In the past three weeks alone, CLCV staff met around the clock with bill authors Pavley and Garcia, legislative leadership, the governor’s office, legislative champions, on-the-fence lawmakers, and allies.
CLCV hosted in-district meetings and town halls with key legislators, and met with legislators in Sacramento. In addition, the organization launched a targeted digital advertisement campaign in key districts to activate local community members, and generated thousands of member emails and hundreds of calls in support of climate action to key legislators.
Even with this strong coalition working nonstop, this was a hard-fought victory. As expected, oil industry lobbyists launched misleading websites and ads, distorted the facts, and threatened political and electoral retribution in an effort to convince lawmakers to vote “no” on SB 32. After SB 32 passed the Assembly, they quickly turned their attention to defeating AB 197, only to be out-maneuvered by Assemblyman Garcia, Speaker Rendon, and many climate champions in the Assembly.
“Outspent and outnumbered, advocates for the environment, healthy communities, and our planet prevailed. This is a huge victory for the health, safety, and economic security of all Californians,” said Rose.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
