The U.S. is the second largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, and California is the second largest in the nation. What we do here in the Golden State matters immensely, especially as our federal government slashes regulations and funding for environmental protection. On August 14, CIPL will host its second 2018 interfaith climate advocacy day in Sacramento. For more information or to inquire about participating please email info@interfaithpower.org.
CIPL has a list of core commitments that guide our advocacy activities:
1) Strong greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets from all sources — energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture — leading California toward carbon neutrality.
2) Significant investments in renewable power with the goal of 100% clean energy as soon as possible with priority for local solar and wind projects that create good jobs for Californians.
3) Advancing climate justice by ensuring the participation in policy decisions by those on the front lines of climate impacts, and tangible benefits for communities that have borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution.
Priority Legislation
SB 100, California Renewable (Energy) Portfolio Standard : SUPPORT
In order to keep global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celcius, we must move to 100% clean energy and a nearly carbon-free economy by 2050. Current standards are for 50% renewable energy by 2030 (SB 350, passed in 2015). SB 100 sets a goal of 100% clean energy in California by 2045.
AB 1775 and SB 834: State Lands: Leasing: Oil and Gas: SUPPORT
Under current policy, the federal government has respected California’s right to restrict new drilling operations out of state and federal waters off our coast. On January 4th, 2018, the Trump administration proposed opening up 90% of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to new leasing for oil and gas production. The partner bills of AB 1175 and SB 834 will prohibit the State Lands Commission from approving any new leases authorizing oil- and gas- related infrastructure within state waters that are associated with new federal offshore leases. This bill will protect the California coast from the risks and impacts of new offshore oil and gas development, including oil spills that can threaten our coastal communities, environment, and economy.
SB 1014: Electrify California Ride-hailing (E-CAr): SUPPORT
As California moves to a cleaner energy future, transportation remains the single largest source of pollution affecting the health of our communities and polluting the environment. Ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft are fast becoming a popular choice for riders. SB 1014 will increase efficiencies of the rides and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) deployed by California’s ride-hailing Transportation Network Companies (TNCs.)
Previous Priority Policies
Proposition 68: Yes. Passed!
Prop 68 is a bond measure that would allocate $4.1 billion to secure the health of our land, parks and water supply for present and future generations. In addition to benefiting all Californians, this bond sets aside funds for communities that have historically had limited access to green spaces. CIPL is an official supporter of Prop 68.
Proposition 70: No. Defeated!
Prop 70 would require a two-thirds majority vote in the state legislature to allocate funds from California’s landmark cap-and-trade program, commencing in 2024. This proposition risks derailing distribution of Climate Investment funds to critical programs that reduce pollution, create jobs, increase renewable energy, and protect frontline communities.
AB 17 and AB 179: Transit Pass Pilot Program and California Transportation CommissionAB 17 and AB 179 are part of a larger effort to make public transportation more accessible and responsive to vulnerable Californians. AB 17 provides transit passes to help make public transit affordable for students and AB 179 ensures that at least one of the voting members of the California Transportation Commission have worked “with communities that are most significantly burdened by, and vulnerable to, high levels of pollution.”
AB 20: Public Employee Retirement Systems: Divestment from Dakota Access PipelineCalifornia’s Public Employee Retirement Systems are currently banned from investing in corporations with operations in Sudan, Iran, or thermal coal industries. This bill would require that these organizations consider the Dakota Access Pipeline and its effects on local indigenous groups, as well as their faith traditions and access to potable water, and remove their investment if they take issue with this cause.
SB 49: California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers’ Defense Act of 2017California being a leader in the national and global movement to fight climate change, this bill would work to preserve our state’s environmental progress in the face of weakening Federal leadership. SB 49 would require that all California environmental agencies continue to be held to a high standard, without backsliding or decreasing their strength due to a lax and imperiled Washington.
SB 692: Transmission Access ChargeThis bill would work to level the playing field for local energy providers to make them a more viable economic option from communities throughout the Golden State. Existing law creates the Independent System Operator, an agency which charges energy projects for their use of and access to transmission lines, but does so in a way that lacks transparency and disproportionately charges local energy projects. This bill would amend the ISO such that local energy projects are only charged for their actual transmission, and are thereby made a cheaper option to the public.
SR 27: Relative to Vehicular Air PollutionThe Clean Air Act, one of the first monumental successes in American environmental policy, requires that city atmospheres remain under certain levels of pollutant concentrations. This bill would resolve to uphold the standards set by the Clean Air Act in California, and to oppose any efforts by Congress or the federal administration to deny, roll back, or otherwise undermine this policy.
Photo from Summer 2016
Endorse California Delivers
This 
is a crucial time to demonstrate to our California legislators and the public faith community support for climate action. California Delivers is a coalition of businesses, workers, community and faith leaders, and advocates for public health, consumers, and low-income families that work to support the timely implementation of California climate solutions.
Local Climate Action Plans – many localities in California have developed, or are developing their own Climate Action Plans, with the goal of decreasing local emissions and making their neighborhoods healthier. Below are a few examples:
San Francisco: http://www.sfenvironment.org/downloads/library/climateactionplan.pdfOakland: http://www.localcleanenergy.org/oakland/climate-action/coalition
Statewide
Exploring California’s Climate Change Research: http://cal-adapt.org/
Interfaith Power & Light’s Policy on Clean Energy Issues: California Interfaith Power & Light, as part of the IPL national network, holds positions on the major policy issues affecting energy and climate, such as nuclear energy, coal, and energy efficiency. Click here to read about IPL’s Clean Energy Agenda and more.