Environment California Calls on Governor to Move State to 100% Clean Energy by 2030

Environment California

Sacramento, CA. — Today, Environment California called on Governor Gavin Newsom to issue an executive order committing the state to 100% clean electricity by 2030–15 years earlier than mandated by SB100 (de Leon).

“Clean energy is one of the key steps we need to take to stave off the worst impacts of climate change”, said Dan Jacobson, Director of Environment California. “The heat waves, wildfires and air pollution are only going to get worse if we don’t take the steps needed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The time for action was decades ago, but the more we wait the worse it gets. Let’s move to 100% clean energy by 2030 now”

Last week, Governor Newsom called on his administration to accelerate policies that will reduce the state’s inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. The Governor specifically mentioned Senate Bill 100 (de Leon)–signed by then-Gov. Brown in 2018– which put California on the path to generate 100% of its electricity from clean energy by 2045. Governor Newsom requested that we speed up the date for getting to 100% clean electricity, stating in a press conference “I think 2045 is too late”.

In addition, Environment California Research and Policy Center submitted comments to the California Energy Commission (CEC). The CEC is conducting an analysis of the state’s ability to get to 100% clean electricity by 2030. The comments submitted by Environment California Research and Policy Center encourage the adoption of those recommendations and offer additional strengthening measures. (Click here for a copy of our comments).

Two reports (found here and here) from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) show that California has made significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. This sector has seen reductions from 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 to 2017. 

“Staving off the worst impacts of climate change is not going to be easy. Renewable energy, clean transportation, buildings that generate electricity, working lands and an end to oil drilling are all part of the plan. 100% clean energy by 2030 is a critical first step we can take”, said Jacobson

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