State of the State: “green” legislation in Sacramento

A status report from Senator Christine Kehoe on pending environmental laws.

by Senator Christine Kehoe, 39th District

Everyday most of us are conscientious about saving water, conserving energy, and recycling. In the political world, we look at the big picture and try to craft policies that will help more residents and businesses do the same.

This year, the legislature passed a package of four bills that will help develop green technologies, keep California at the forefront to protect the environment, and create a positive economic effect.

Green economy

SB 1760 (Perata) would require energy and environmental agencies to adopt a plan for spending $200 million annually in existing public funds for in-state green technology. The plan must identify research that helps create California jobs and clean technology growth, and how climate change affects our water, coast, and wildlife.

Our goal is to create a strategic investment plan to ensure scarce state research dollars are invested to provide better information on the effects of climate change.

SB 1672 (Steinberg) would authorize $3 billion in state bonds for the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation jobs. The measure would also fund educational and worker training programs. The legislation would aim to develop clean technology businesses and foster jobs helping California adapt to climate change, with special attention on actions that benefit disadvantaged communities.

The emergence of California’s green economy gives us the opportunity to merge our environmental goals with our desire for all California students to eventually hold middle class jobs or better. SB 1672 is an investment in California children and cutting-edge businesses to ensure we keep pace with the rest of the world.

SB 1550 (Florez) would require the Secretary of State to work with the investment community to develop a climate change disclosure standard for companies doing business in California. The standard would provide guidance on climate change risks and opportunities for publicly traded companies.

The standard will help investors learn who the good actors are when it comes to cleaning our air and being stewards of our planet. With more information about a company’s environmental record, investors may use their money as leverage to impel the business to take bolder action.

My bill, SB 1670, is sponsored by the State Treasurer and creates the Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction State Building Trust Fund of 2008. The measure would authorize $2 billion of state bonds to reduce the energy purchased by state entities for state-owned and long-term leased buildings; to assist schools in financing energy efficiency measures; and to ensure that energy efficient equipment is installed in state-funded buildings.

Californians have embraced the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and this support allows us to accomplish great things. We can develop a “green” economy in California that creates new jobs, lowers energy costs, and saves taxpayers’ money.

Ms. Kehoe was elected to the State Senate in 2004 to represent the 39th Senate District, which includes 847,000 residents from Del Mar and Lemon Grove, and parts of San Diego, Casa de Oro-Mo, La Presa, and Spring Valley. For more information, please see dist39.casen.govoffice.com. Visit Senator Kehoe’s booth at EarthFair 2008.