The issue of environmental protection has been one of the most important topics in the community and global politics for years.
California has taken a step forward by setting an example.
But not only that, it has also been an example of collaborative work by the Democratic State Senate Majority Leader, Lena Gonzalez, Senator Monique Limón, and Assemblymember Issac Bryan.
On June 26th, 2024, Californians for Energy Independence pulled their referendum seeking to overturn SB1137 in the November 2024 election.
“Back in 2022…we pushed for #SB1137 to become law. This required health protection zones between oil drilling & neighborhoods. Then the referendum.
“Now this… I thank the EJ communities – many in #SD33 who’ve fought for many years to make this become law,” posted the majority leader on her account in social media.
This is the result of decades of organizing to protect our neighborhoods and communities in solidarity with CEJA, CEJA Action, Working Families for a Healthy California, CRPE, PSR-LA, APEN Action, Black Women for Wellness Action, VISION, CCEJN, and the Central California Asthma Collaborative.
Here the senator shares her vision of this decision.
1) How does this impact climate change not just in California, but also by setting the example for the country and perhaps the world?
“As the world shifts away from fossil fuels towards a clean energy future, it is crucial to prioritize the frontline communities that have suffered the most from pollution. I hope Senate Bill 1137 will serve as a model for safeguarding our most vulnerable communities from the immediate harms of fossil fuel extraction because we know they are also the first to experience the adverse impacts of the climate crisis.”
2) What economic impact do you see this having for California?
“The clean energy transition is inevitable and is already creating numerous new jobs in California. As we progress towards a cleaner, greener future, I believe we will continue to see substantial growth in high-quality, well-paying jobs across various industries. This includes transportation, ports, goods movement, and infrastructure as they adopt cleaner energy alternatives in their operations.”
3) What are other climate change initiatives/ideas is the senator looking to push forward?
“I plan to reintroduce the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act next year. This bill would require CalPERS and CalSTRS, two of the nation’s largest pension funds, to divest from fossil fuels. This is crucial to safeguard the retirement futures of California workers. The current climate initiatives by these funds fall short in protecting worker pensions from the physical threats of climate change and the risks of stranded assets as we transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Additionally, we are tirelessly working to pass Senate Bill 674, the Refinery Pollution Reduction and Transparency Act. This bill aims to establish standard air monitoring at refineries. It also enforces greater transparency and accountability when dangerous levels of toxic chemicals are spewed into fenceline communities by refineries.”
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