California is poised to make significant strides in boosting renewable energy, curbing corporate emissions, protecting wild areas, and ensuring livability in the face of worsening climate change. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the majority of environment-related bills passed by lawmakers, solidifying California’s role as a global leader in climate action. The impact of California’s actions extends beyond its borders, as other regions are likely to follow suit. While Governor Newsom vetoed several bills due to implementation and cost concerns, many of the approved bills will take effect on January 1, introducing new measures to address abandoned oil wells, harmful pesticides, and water waste.
One prominent area of focus is holding businesses accountable for their environmental impact. Senate Bill 253 requires companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and their entire supply chain emissions by 2027, making California the first state to introduce such comprehensive reporting requirements. Additionally, Senate Bill 261 mandates that companies with revenues over $500 million disclose climate-related financial risks and their mitigation strategies. To address the use of carbon offsets, Assembly Bill 1305 establishes regulations to increase transparency and disclosure in the $2 billion carbon offset market.
To promote clean energy, Governor Newsom signed the Orphan Well Prevention Act, which requires oil companies to cover the costs of decommissioning and cleanup when transferring ownership of oil wells. Oil and gas developments will no longer receive exemptions from environmental regulations along the coast, further protecting California’s sensitive coastal ecosystem. California will also prioritize energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in large buildings, explore offshore wind power, harness offshore wave power, and study the potential for solar power infrastructure along highways.
In the transportation sector, Governor Newsom approved bills to advance clean transportation and support public transit in adapting to climate change. A.B. 126 reauthorizes over $170 million in clean transportation funding annually for the next decade. Furthermore, A.B. 579 sets a goal for all new school buses purchased in California to be zero-emission by 2035, necessitating financial support for school districts. Another bill requires the rail agency overseeing a major corridor to incorporate climate resiliency projects into its annual plans following rail service disruptions due to erosion.
California is also taking steps to conserve its wildlife and lands. S.B. 337 codifies Governor Newsom’s executive order to designate 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters for conservation by 2030. A.B. 363 mandates a comprehensive study on the effects of neonics, a type of pesticide, on pollinators, water systems, and human health. The bill also requires the adoption of rules for the use of these products.
By enacting these measures, California aims to combat climate change, protect the environment, and lead by example for other regions around the world.
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