Climate Change

California calls on pension funds to divest from coal in climate change push

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 - 12:00

America’s biggest state pension funds came under rising pressure on Tuesday to dump coal companies from their combined $500bn portfolio, in a major escalation of the fossil fuel divestment campaign.

The California senate leader, Kevin de Leon, said he was introducing a bill on Tuesday calling on the two state funds – CalPERS, the public employees’ pension fund, and CalSTRS, the teachers’ pension funds, drop all coal holdings.

Adam Simpson

"California has always been a leader in developing energy policy that benefits its environment, ratepayers, and businesses. The bold energy and environmental agendas being put forward by our legislators are perfect examples of how California continues to lead.  EtaGen looks forward to continuing to work with California’s legislative leadership to develop technology neutral energy and environmental policies that ensure in-state job growth, lower consumer costs, and a cleaner environment."

Susan Frank

"California's 'Main Street' business community has long been ahead of the curve on adopting clean energy practices from energy efficiency to waste reduction to clean vehicle fleet practices. My 1,300 business, association and chamber of commerce members support California's legislative leadership in taking the next steps to cement our state's competitive edge, while providing certainty, flexibility and profitability."

Huge solar farm opens in California: Enough energy for 160,000 homes

Monday, February 9, 2015 - 21:45

About 4,000 acres of shiny black solar panels stretch across Riverside County near Joshua Tree National Park, where on Monday U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell dedicated one of the largest photovoltaic solar energy farms in the world.

“This is the beginning of a renewable energy future,” Jewell said before helping turn on a large model light switch.

Darren Morris

In the last 11 months, a local company called Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. (a subsidiary of Pacific Coast Building Products, both based in Sacramento) has responded to increased market demand for residential energy efficiency products by creating a new Home Services Division to air seal and add new insulation and garage doors to existing homes. These simple retrofits improve comfort, dramatically decrease heating and cooling energy consumption, and help consumers reduce their energy bills.

David Tom Cooke, MD

“There is nothing more urgent than protecting the lives of our children and future generations, and that’s why physicians and health professionals stand behind the Senate’s proposed bill package taking California’s commitment to clean air and a clean energy economy to an historic level.  Less petroleum and fossil fuels, more efficiency and more renewable energy are critical to my patients’ health and a healthy climate for all.”

Caroline Farrell

"We strongly support the Senate’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and look forward to working with them to emphasize the health and job-creating benefits of increased reductions directly from sources in California. Direct reductions will bring desperately needed air pollution reductions and good jobs. which is particularly important to communities in the Central Valley, who suffer from some of the worst air pollution and highest poverty levels in the country."

Miya Yoshitani

"A majority of low income and immigrant Asian American's in California think that climate change is a serious threat to their quality of life. Under the Senate's leadership, and in particular, Pro Tem de León, environmental justice communities are beginning and will continue to see tangible benefits: cleaner air for our children, more economic opportunities for our neighborhoods, and a healthier climate for our planet. SB350 will make all of these real."

 

Byron Gudiel

"We are enthusiastic and applaud the leadership of Senator de León in proposing these aggressive targets in reducing petroleum fuel usage in California. We know that moving towards a carbon-free transportation, promoting clean alternative options, and enhancing public transit is a win-win strategy that enhances public health and allows Californians to invest their money in their own state as opposed to sending it out to oil companies.