California Governor Jerry Brown enacts a new mandate to enforce the use of all renewable energy sources by 2045. | Photo Courtesy of Transport Topics
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California to use all renewable energy sources by 2045

Although most coastal states express concerns with global warming- as its effects directly target their environments and economies- California has painted an eco-conscious portrait of itself as the green state looking to regress the effects of global warming.

California Governor Jerry Brown signs SB100 | Photo Courtesy of Time Magazine

On Monday, Sept. 10, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 100 into law, enacting the jurisdiction to have 100% of the electricity in California be carbon-free by 2045. That same day, Brown issued an executive order committing California to full economy-wide neutrality by 2045.
Prior to these jurisdictions, California was already identified as the leader for climate change action across the nation. However, these actions dramatically accelerate the rate at which California will succeed in its efforts to subdue the effects of climate change.
In efforts to spread a message about the action taken by the states to reprove the effects of President Donald Trump’s decision repeal from the Paris Climate Act, Brown hopes to encourage other states to make a change.
“We want others to do likewise, and if enough people often enough do what is needed we will curb global warming,” Brown said during an interview with The Associated Press. “But we’re definitely at the beginning of what’s going to be a long and difficult and contentious journey.”
The bill will impact the ways companies and businesses operate as they will have to receive 60% of their energy from wind, solar, or other renewable sources.
California is not the first state to enact a 100% carbon-free emissions bill-Hawaii’s act ensures that it is a mandate and must be fulfilled by 2045.
Similarly, the state is encouraging the transition to all-electric vehicles as they look into a “cap and trade” initiative to price carbon emissions as an incentive to reduce their presence.
Just a week before, Brown signed legislation to block new oil drilling off the coast of California. This is a direct opposition to the Trump Administration’s plans to open all US coasts to offshore oil and gas drilling. These were just alongside a few jurisdictions passed during the week of the Global Climate Action Summit.
As California looks to accelerate their progression in enhancing environmentally conscious criteria, they hope to influence the states across the nation to take the same action.

Written by Jana Ariss

Jana is a Senior at MC and the Co-Editor in Chief of The MC Sun.

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