SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s sign and veto decisions.
Statement from Melissa Romero, Deputy Legislative Director, California Environmental Voters:
“Timely implementation of last year’s Climate Corporate Leadership and Accountability Act is essential to curbing the emissions of the biggest polluters and protecting communities now and in the future. After a three-year fight to hold corporations responsible for their outsized contributions to the climate crisis, we will be able to drive immediate action toward reducing their carbon emissions, so we thank Governor Newsom for his commitment to a timely implementation of this groundbreaking law through the signing of SB 219.
The signing of AB 2875, to enshrine a no-net loss of wetlands policy into state law, is not only a victory for biodiversity but also a recognition of the critical role wetlands play in our fight against the climate crisis. With the building sector making up the fastest growing carbon emission sector, we’re excited to see SB 1221, a policy that creates a pilot program to electrify entire neighborhoods, signed into law. Coupled with last week’s oil and gas bills (AB 1866, AB 2716, and AB 3233), we’re energized by the Governor’s commitment to addressing injustices for frontline communities bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.
At the same time, we’re disappointed by the Governor’s decision to veto AB 2513 and SB 615, which represent missed opportunities to address urgent public health and climate challenges. The gas stove labeling bill, much like the transformative warning labels that reshaped the tobacco industry, would have empowered consumers with critical information about the health risks of indoor air pollution. The EV battery recycling bill would have created a recycling program for electric vehicle batteries to ensure that they are responsibly reused, repurposed, or recycled.
While we welcomed exciting victories this year, many of them were incremental at a time when we needed more comprehensive solutions and we were dedicated to defending current progress to avoid taking any steps backwards. 2025 must be a year of bigger actions on climate justice for us to stand a chance at saving our future. We remain committed to working together to advance policies that protect our communities.”
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CONTACT:
Erika Guzman Cornejo
310-755-1615
erika@envirovoters.org
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
