California is already working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. But a bill approved by a state Senate committee today would set some new goals to be met by 2030. The measure would cut in half the amount of petroleum used in cars. It would double the energy efficiency of existing buildings. And it would require 50 percent of electricity to come from renewable sources.
Senate leader Kevin de Leon authored the bill.
"These standards send a strong market signal to California businesses and leave no doubt the direction we’re heading in," he says. "These polices will drive innovation here, bring investment here, bring jobs here and bring revenue here."
But some utility companies and business groups object. The California Chamber of Commerce calls the bill a job killer. The Western States Petroleum Association says it would give too much power to the state’s air resources board.
Governor Jerry Brown called for the 2030 goal in his inaugural speech earlier this year.
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