Press Release
April 23, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Stefanie Lao,
[email protected] | 424.282.0922
OAKLAND, CA – The California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statement in response to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement to halt new fracking permits after 2024. The announcement includes that the California Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division will initiate rulemaking to halt the issuance of fracking permits by 2024, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will evaluate how to phase out oil extraction by no later than 2045. These initiatives will become a part of California’s blueprint to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045.
Today’s action follows Governor Newsom’s September 2020 executive order to reduce demand for fossil fuels by accelerating California’s transition away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.
Statement from Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer, EnviroVoters:
“Governor Newsom’s ban on fracking and announcement to phase out of oil extraction is the consistent leadership our state needs if we stand a chance of preventing major climate catastrophe. As wildfire season approaches, this is the critical next step that California must take in addressing the driving cause of the climate crisis head on–our dependence on oil and gas. We thank Governor Newsom for using the tools at his disposal to ensure the climate fight continues in California when corporate and special interests defeat critical legislative efforts.
As important as this action is, this is just a piece of the policy change that needs to happen this year. Millions of Californians, primarily low-income people of color, live near dangerous oil and gas extraction sites and can’t wait for their government to protect them from the public health impacts they are experiencing daily. The Legislature needs to do their job and pass Senate Bill 467 now. Today’s announcement is the beginning of the conversation when it comes to transitioning away from fossil fuels, and we will work with partners and leadership to expand these goals to gas, accelerate this transition to 2030 and 2035, and ensure communities most impacted health-wise and economically are supported and protected.”
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.
