California governor signs ambitious climate change bill

The new also mandate requires California to double the energy efficiency of its buildings by 2030 – which should be a boost to both renovation and construction activity in the state. Brown previously vetoed proposals that would have made flying a drone above private property for any reason a trespassing violation.

Even after the bill passed the Legislature, there was a few question about whether Brown would sign it. In a statement released shortly after he signed the bill into law, Brown said he consulted with doctors and religious leaders before deciding to sign the bill.

California’s investor-owned utilities are well on their way to meeting the state’s previous 33% renewables by 2030 mandate, PV Magazine reported.

Governor Jerry Brown shakes hands with Senator Hanna-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, author of the California Fair Pay Act Ð SB 358, following the Governor’s signing of the bill into law during a ceremony held in the Craneway Pavilion at Rosie the Riveter-WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, CA Tuesday, October 6, 2015.

California’s utilities favored the measure.

This measure is expected to prompt the development of more solar and wind power plants.

As of a year ago, renewables already accounted for approximately 25 percent of energy, putting the state within striking distance for its goals.

So far, most experts seem to agree that California could reach the 50 percent goal, but doing so won’t be easy.

“The goals in developing renewable energy and protecting California’s natural resources don’t need to conflict”, Erica Brand, energy program director at the Nature Conservancy, told ThinkProgress.

Of course, climate change itself has adverse effects on wildlife.

Added Oscar-winning actress Patricia Arquette: “The (bill)received bipartisan support because women support families and drive our economy”. However, the state Legislature could vote to extend it (California Healthline, 10/6).

Democrats have also expressed fears of possible economic fallout, while Republicans displayed concerns over increasing the cost of living. According to state data, 38 percent the state’s greenhouse gas emissions came from transportation in 2009.

Now California has more renewable energy than any other state.

Not only will wind help protect consumers from energy price spikes, a more diverse energy supply for the world’s eighth largest economy will also improve air quality, conserve water, and address the risk of rising fuel prices.

The state’s approach to immigration reform has become so comprehensive that Karthick Ramakrishnan, associate dean of the school of Public Policy at the University of California in Riverside, has dubbed it “the California Package”.

The governor, for his part, is leading the charge against anyone who denies the science of climate change. “We learned about it this afternoon and are studying a number of alternatives”, he said.