Sen. Skinner Announces 2022 Climate Package
State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, today announced the introduction of a legislative package designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help avoid catastrophic climate change. Sen. Skinner’s 2022 climate package includes bills that would slash emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, speed up the state’s transition to zero emissions vehicles, help decarbonize California’s cement industry, and accelerate the state’s use of a game-changing clean energy source — green hydrogen.
“The global scientific community agrees that we need to act fast to avoid devastating climate impacts. My bill package recognizes that short-term and long-term actions are needed now to both reduce and capture greenhouse gas emissions,” Sen. Skinner said. “These bills will also help California maintain its leadership role in protecting our planet.”
Although California has made significant strides to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts of climate change are deepening, from record droughts and devastating wildfires to powerful storms and extended power outages. According to a recent comprehensive scientific report, sea level rise due to global warming is expected to increase by an average of one foot along U.S. coastlines by 2050, thereby threatening California’s populous coastal areas.
Sen. Skinner’s 2022 climate package includes:
- SB 1010 – Clean State Fleets. SB 1010 would speed up the transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) in the state’s vehicle fleets. It would require that all new light-duty vehicles purchased by the state of California be ZEVs by 2029 and that all medium- and heavy-duty state vehicles be 100% ZEVs by 2036.
- SB 1075 – Green Hydrogen. SB 1075 would jumpstart California’s use of green hydrogen, a multi-faceted clean fuel that has the potential to decarbonize our entire economy while maintaining good-paying jobs. SB 1075 would also enable the state to take advantage of federal funding for green hydrogen projects included in President Biden’s infrastructure law.
- SB 1206 – HFCs. SB 1206 would dramatically reduce the sale and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in California by 2030. Although HFCs are short-lived, they are thousands of times more potent in their climate-damaging impact than carbon dioxide. HFCs are widely used in aerosols, foams, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
- SB 905 – Decarbonizing Cement. SB 905 is designed to help California decarbonize a major aspect of the state’s construction and transportation infrastructure – the cement-making industry. SB 905 would establish up to three pilot projects in California to capture carbon from cement production and then store the captured CO2 geologically.
“Californians agree the magnitude of the climate crisis demands we accelerate action now. SB 1010, Clean State Fleets, will put the state’s purchasing power to work to more quickly advance zero emission vehicles,” Sen. Skinner added. “And SB 1206 will buy us precious time in our fight to protect the climate by cutting emissions of the powerful but short-lived pollutants used in refrigerators and air conditioners.”
“SB 905 will greenlight pilot projects that can help decarbonize California’s cement industry— one of our most carbon-intensive industries — by capturing carbon released in cement production and sequestering it underground.”
“Finally, green hydrogen is a game-changer, not only because it’s made from renewable energy sources, but because it’s extremely versatile. In fact, it’s the only renewable energy source that has the potential to decarbonize all aspects of our economy. SB 1075 will also support existing, good-paying jobs because much of our fossil-fuel industries and infrastructure can be transitioned to green hydrogen. Plus, SB 1075 will enable California to take advantage of billions in federal funds targeted by the Biden Administration toward green hydrogen projects.”
Sen. Nancy Skinner represents the 9th Senate District, is chair of the Senate Budget Committee and vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus.