Los Angeles, California — Tonight, Governor Gavin Newsom gave his third State of the State address, the latest held State of the State in California’s history. While his speech emphasized the importance of addressing the root cause of the climate crisis through emissions reductions with clean car technologies, Governor Newsom’s administration continues to fuel climate catastrophe by expanding oil and gas drilling in the state.
In response to Governor Newsom’s address, Greenpeace USA Executive Director Annie Leonard said:
“As Governor Newsom reaches a crossroads in his term in office, he would do well to listen to the climate and environmental justice movement rather than standing on the sidelines at the expense of frontline communities and the planet. Governor Newsom’s State of the State address was a missed opportunity to demonstrate the leadership we require in the face of intersecting climate, public health, and environmental justice crises. In the coming months, this administration must take advantage of key moments to lead on these issues: by publicly supporting SB 467, directing his agency to act swiftly to enact a 2,500-foot public health setback, and beginning a just transition for workers and communities impacted by the oil and gas industry.”
Earlier this year, Greenpeace USA scored Governor Newsom’s 2020 actions on phasing out fossil fuels and protecting public health, giving him low marks across the board: a D+, C-, and D-, down from the C-, C-, and D earned in his 2019 report card. In response to these low marks, Greenpeace USA has urged Governor Newsom to seize this moment and improve his climate credentials by taking swift action to phase out harmful fossil fuel extraction, protect communities living near oil and gas operations, and usher in a just transition for workers impacted by the fossil fuel industry. [1]
Notes:
[1] Greenpeace and other environmental groups are urging Governor Newsom to publicly support SB 467, a bill which would ban fracking and other extreme drilling techniques as well as require a 2,500-foot public health and safety buffer between communities and fossil fuel extraction sites. This bill, authored by Senators Scott Wiener and Monique Limón, was proposed in response to Governor Newsom’s request for the state legislature to propose a fracking ban, made during his September clean cars announcement last year.
Additionally, Greenpeace urges Governor Newsom to resist further delays and hold firm on his commitment to unveil a Just Transition Roadmap and an oil well remediation plan by July of this year. By ramping up job creation in oil well remediation, the state could solve the problem of cleaning up toxic pollution and creating good union jobs with strong pathways to long-term careers.
Contact:
Katie Nelson, Strategic Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA: +1 (678) 644-1681, [email protected]
