Tom Steyer Statement on California Cap-and-Trade and Air Quality Legislation

NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer today issued the following statement in response to AB 617—a bill that would improve air quality for Californians—and AB 398—a bill that would extend California’s cap-and-trade system:

“Polluters have gotten away with poisoning the air we breathe and the water we drink in California for far too long. This bill will force polluters to take long-overdue steps to clean up their act or pay the price for polluting our air—especially in our most vulnerable communities. AB 617 is a major step forward that will help safeguard clean air for all Californians.

“A robust cap-and-trade program is critical to California’s future, and AB 398 makes it clear California will continue to lead in creating solutions to the most serious global challenge in human history—climate change.

“The bill includes significant concessions to the oil industry, but it exacts significant concessions from Big Oil as well. It requires them to reduce their pollution and, importantly, it shows the rest of the world that, after decades of denial, even the oil corporations now accept the urgent need for innovative solutions to climate change.

“We applaud Governor Brown and the Legislature for moving the state forward with these bills. We will continue to fight for the strongest possible program to grow California’s clean energy economy, safeguard the environment and protect our clean air and water.”

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