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California Gov. Brown to Sign Sweeping New Climate Laws

The governor called the twin measures "a real commitment backed up by real power."

Gov. Jerry Brown marked a milestone for California’s climate change policies Wednesday even as he warned of more battles to come, saying opponents of new environmental regulations were “vanquished” as lawmakers approved tougher plans for cracking down on greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is a real commitment backed up by real power," Brown said while flanked by legislative leaders from the state Senate and Assembly.

The two measures that Brown plans to sign would:

  • require the state to slash emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, a stiffer target than the one currently on the books;
  • create a new committee to oversee climate programs and require regulators to provide more detailed information on where progress is being made; and prod regulators to take stronger action to cut pollution from refineries and other facilities
Environmental advocates and clean energy companies have pushed the proposals as a major step forward for California, which has been touted as an international example for tackling global warming. Oil companies and some manufacturers fought the legislation, warning of higher costs and out-of-control regulators.

Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
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