California governor signs climate change legislation
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia’s AB-398, a critical benchmark in California’s global climate leadership on Tuesday.
This legislation established a statewide program that will help the Golden State keep track to meet their 2030 climate goals.
“This landmark journey began last year with the passage of SB 32 and AB 197; where we were successful in shifting the global warming dialogue from polar bears and melting ice caps to focus on the severe public health consequences facing disadvantaged, environmentally vulnerable communities; like those in my district,” said Assemblymember Garcia (D- Coachella), Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.
Former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger joined in this historic ceremony which was strategically staged at Treasure Island, the same location where he signed AB 32 (the original California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006); authorizing the Golden State’s cap-and-trade program.
Governor Brown said that “California is leading the world in dealing with a principal existential threat that humanity faces…We are a nation-state in a globalizing world and we’re having an impact and you’re here witnessing one of the key milestones in turning around this carbonized world into a decarbonized, sustainable future.”
Governor Brown will join Assemblymembers Edurardo Garcia and Cristina Garcia for AB 617’s signing ceremony tomorrow afternoon in Bell Gardens.
This climate measure was introduced alongside AB 398. Together, they develop the complete 2017 air quality and carbon pollution bill package that will guide the state to a clean, green, and prosperous future.
