To Governor Newsom and California decisionmakers:

California is at a critical crossroads as we enter a new year. Our communities are still reeling from COVID-19, and the climate crisis continues to shape our lives in new and frightening ways. High fossil fuel prices are adding to this pressure for many families this winter, while the air remains dangerous to breathe in many environmental justice communities. Urgent action is needed.  

Fortunately, creating healthier, more resilient communities and building an economy rooted in prosperity for all are inextricably linked by clean, affordable energy.

Let’s seize this opportunity, as we enter a new year, by committing to these Clean Energy Resolutions for 2022:

  • ELIMINATE UTILITY DEBT with an additional $1 billion for millions of low-income Californians, creating a clean slate for families in 2022.

  • INCREASE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, TRULY CLEAN ELECTRICITY with lower electricity costs and increased access to renewable electricity that do not pass the cost burden to ratepayers or pollution burden to environmental justice communities.

  • INVEST IN TRANSMISSION and create jobs by building infrastructure that moves and ensures access to renewable electricity across the state. 

  • INSTALL SOLAR AND STORAGE to one million homes, schools, fire stations, libraries, and community centers. 

  • REJECT FOSSIL FUELS in procurement and contract extensions and immediately end reliance on polluting diesel backup generators and reject dairy gas proliferation, especially in environmental justice communities.

  • RETIRE CALIFORNIA’S DIRTIEST FOSSIL FUEL POWER PLANTS, beginning with those located in environmental justice communities. 

  • INVEST IN INCREASED CLIMATE RESILIENCE INFRASTRUCTURE in the form of community resilience centers and cooling in homes.

By following these critical steps, we can look back this time next year and say with confidence that 2022 was the year California made good on its promise of 100% clean energy for all. 

Signed,

Advanced Energy Economy

Brightline Defense

California Environmental Justice Alliance

Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT)

Central California Asthma Collaborative

Clean Power Campaign

Environment California

Leadership Council for Justice & Accountability

Los Angeles Business Council

Regenerate California

Sierra Club California

Union of Concerned Scientists