Legislators Scale Back Climate Change Proposals

California legislators went into recess with many of the most controversial and ambitious proposed climate change measures withdrawn or delayed.

Pulled from Senate Bill 350 before it passed was its target of a 50% reduction in petroleum use by cars and trucks by 2030.

The version of SB 350 that passed retained its goal of a 50% increase in energy efficiency in buildings, and for 50% of electric power to come from renewable sources.

SB 350, authored by Senators Kevin de León and Mark Leno, was formally titled “The Clean Energy and Pollution Recovery Act of 2015.” Its proposed restrictions were highlighted in an information campaign mounted by the energy industry which labeled the proposal “the California Gas Restriction Act of 2015.″

Tupper Hull, a spokesperson for the Western States Petroleum Association, said SB 350 was “an attempt to essentially put oil companies out of business.

More than 20 Democrats in the State Senate expressed concern about the effects of the bill’s proposals, despite vocal support for the bill by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Retained in SB 350 were its goals for doubling the energy efficiency in buildings, and a 50% increase in electric power to come from renewable sources, both by 2030.

A proposal to amend AB 32, to establish greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 and 2050, extending the authority of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) over those targets by 30 years, was also shelved.

Gov. Brown responded to the legislature’s rejection of the two climate change measures by vowing to use his executive authority to achieve similar aims.

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