Environmental News: Media Center

“The scoping plan sets California on a firm path to fight global warming and recharge our economy at the same time,”said Audrey Chang, director of NRDC’s California Climate Program. “It is vital, now, more than ever, that California enacts policies to fight global warming, which will act as powerful economic drivers to jumpstart the economy. Thousands of jobs already exist in California because of investments in our clean energy economy. By adopting the scoping plan, California is on track.  Next up is carrying out the plan through the rulemaking phase, and NRDC will actively participate to push for maximum emissions reductions, particularly in the land use and industrial sectors, to ensure California meets or beats its 2020 limit.”
 
California has been a leader in energy efficiency, and implementing the scoping plan enables the state to go even further. With policies designed to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, stimulate investment in clean technologies, and create green jobs, the scoping plan helps make California companies more internationally competitive and less vulnerable to volatile fossil fuel prices.
 
“California’s action today sets the stage for national action to combat global warming with effective legislation,” said Annie Notthoff, NRDC’s California advocacy director. “California is sending a message to Congress that we can fight global warming and invest in a clean energy economy that spurs job growth and economic security. Not only will other states be watching California, but the world will be watching to see us take this leap forward to reduce global warming.”
 
With the adoption of the scoping plan to implement AB 32, California is leading the country and the world in its effort to curb global warming through a comprehensive package of policies. This blueprint for action will strengthen California’s economy, improve air quality and public health, help Californians use energy more efficiently, and make the state the hub of clean energy technology development -- all while working to curb global warming.
 
By investing in solar panels, electric cars and fuel cells, harnessing wind and solar power, and building energy efficient buildings, companies will create jobs as they combat climate change. The University of California, Berkeley, recently reported that California’s energy efficiency policies over the last thirty-five years saved consumers $56 billion, created 1.5 million jobs and generated $45 billion in payroll. The same report also confirms that increasing California’s energy efficiency just one percent annually will expand the Gross State Product by approximately $76 billion, boost household income by as much as $48 billion and create more than 403,000 new jobs.

For more information, read Audrey Chang’s blog at: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/achang/