California Legislature Passes Bipartisan Climate and Air Quality Legislation
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California legislature today approved a package of bills to extend California’s cap-and-trade program through 2030 and significantly improve air quality in neighborhoods hardest-hit by traffic and industrial pollution.
The bipartisan climate legislation cleared both the Assembly and Senate and is now en route to Governor Jerry Brown for his expected signature. Assembly Bill 398, authored by Eduardo Garcia, extends California’s market-based program out to 2030 to ensure California achieves its aggressive targets to reduce the dangerous emissions driving climate change. Assembly Bill 617, by Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, and Miguel Santiago, includes critical new measures to improve air quality in local communities.
Following is a statement from Alex Jackson, legal director of NRDC’s California climate project:
“This package solidifies California’s pathway to a low-carbon future. As President Trump retreats from U.S. climate commitments, California’s actions today will provide much needed resolve for other states and regions looking to fill the void. But global leadership begins at home. The package of bills contains essential new protections to ensure that even as California looks outward to confront the global crisis of climate change, no community is left behind.”
David Pettit, senior attorney with NRDC’s southern California air program, added:
“These bills will improve air quality where it is needed most in California. This is real progress, but now the hard work begins of making sure these new air quality laws are implemented aggressively. No community should suffer from unhealthy air.”
Background:
- Annie Notthoff, NRDC’s director of California advocacy, will be posting a blog at https://www.nrdc.org/experts/annie-notthoff
- See her previous blog at https://www.nrdc.org/experts/annie-notthoff/calif-climate-and-air-quality-bills-give-and-take-works
- Statement on introduction of the bills.
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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.