FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2021
CONTACT
Brandon Dawson, (830) 309-1092
Governor’s May Revision Proposes Increased Investment to Tackle the Climate Crisis
SACRAMENTO—Today, Governor Gavin Newsom released his May revision of his January budget proposal. The “May Revise” provides significant investment in efforts to address the climate crisis and ensure a resilient California as the state endures a drought and enters wildfire season.
In addition to a robust budget for natural resources and environmental protection, the new proposal seeks to invest $11.8 billion over multiple years to take on the climate crisis, including $5.1 billion for water resilience and drought preparedness; $1.2 billion in wildfire and forest response funds; and $1.3 billion for other climate resilience projects.
Also included in the proposal is historic funding for zero emission transportation that, if adopted, will meaningfully improve the lives of the majority of Californians who are forced to breathe air that persistently fails to meet federal air quality standards. This is especially so for disadvantaged communities. However, the proposal also includes funding for biomass-to-biofuels projects that degrade air quality. This money would be better spent on non-polluting uses for woody biomass.
Lastly, the budget proposes $200 million for oil well remediation. This important pot of money would be dedicated to plugging abandoned oil and gas wells, which threaten the health and safety of Californians and the environment.
Statement from Brandon Dawson, Acting Director of Sierra Club California:
“The Newsom Administration’s proposal includes many of the types of investment Californians need as the state tackles climate change and environmental inequity. We are especially delighted to see that the proposal includes increased investment in clean cars, safe and affordable drinking water, and improving access to California parks and natural lands.
Addressing the needs of frontline communities who bear the brunt of fossil fuel extraction is crucial, so we are happy to see money dedicated to remediating toxic oil and gas wells and working towards a just transition for the workers in these communities.
The funding for home hardening and defensible space inspections is critical to protecting lives and property from wildfires. We hope we can work with the administration and legislature to ensure that any wildfire management funds do not damage California’s uniquely biodiverse wildlands.
And we look forward to working with the administration and legislature to ensure the water resilience components fund environmentally beneficial projects that prioritize the needs of communities and ecosystems.”
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Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory advocacy arm of the 13 Sierra Club chapters in California, representing more than 500,000 members and supporters statewide.