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Reward clean energy, not polluters
Funding solutions to global warming
After California became the first state to place a cap on our global warming pollution, one big question remained: How will we finally transform our economy to make it clean and green?
As the Schwarzenegger administration worked to create a roadmap for cutting pollution 25 percent by 2020, Environment California called for a plan that makes polluters pay for their pollution credits, and funnels the proceeds into solutions like wind and solar power, greener buildings, and a cleaner transportation system.
To make sure the governor’s plan was a strong one, our citizen outreach staff spoke with over 200,000 people over the last four months, helping to send over 75,000 messages—through petitions, phone calls and e-mails—to the governor and his staff. We also made the case directly to the administration, while generating media coverage of the issue, and getting friends and allies around the state to speak up.
Draft plan released
On June 26, the governor released his draft plan for cutting emissions. Among the plan’s highlights: boosting California’s use of renewable energy up to 33 percent by 2020, and improving the energy efficiency of buildings, saving enough energy to eliminate 10 large power plants.
Unfortunately, the proposal from the governor’s Air Resources Board did not answer an important question: Will the state hold polluters accountable for their emissions—to level the playing field between dirty and clean energy—or will the state reward polluters by giving them millions of dollars in free pollution credits?
Oil companies, power companies and other polluting industries are trying to convince the Schwarzenegger administration to repeat the mistakes of the European Union (EU). The EU gave pollution permits away for free under their global warming reduction plan, rewarding polluters with windfall profits.
Environment California has fought back, organizing across the state to raise awareness and build public support for our proposal. The state’s final plan will be released in October, and the governor’s Air Resources Board is planning to officially adopt the blueprint in November.
