the role of the states in advancing a green new deal · 2020. 5. 16. · the role of the states in...
TRANSCRIPT
The Role of the States in Advancing a Green New Deal
January 31, 2020
Prof. Alice Kaswan
University of San Francisco School of Law
Center for Progressive Reform
1
Overview
• A few words on the Green New Deal• Role of federal and state action• Lessons from state action: California (+)• Relevance for the Rust Belt• Lessons for federal legislation
2
The Green New Deal
• Urgent: 10-year national mobilization• Just transition: “achieve net-zero greenhouse
gas emissions through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers”
• Jobs and Economic Security: “to create millions of good, high-wage jobs and ensure prosperity and economic security for all people …”
• Climate Justice: “to promote justice and equity” for those who are vulnerable in the past or might become so in the future
Image: Sierra Club website
3
The Federal Role
• House Resolution• 98 co-sponsors• In committee
• Important …• But unlikely in the near-term
4
The Role of the States
• David Roberts, Vox:
“The Green New Deal is probably not going to be built in one grand spasm of federal action.
Rather, if it happens at all, it will be through grinding out victories where Democrats control things — some states and lots and lots of cities — until economic and social tipping points are reached.”
5
Burst of State-level Activity
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (Nov. 2019)
6
Local 100% Clean Energy Commitments
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (2019)
7
CaliforniaGenesis: Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
• Blueprint for comprehensive action• Initiated multi-sector and multi-agency planning• Coordinated by California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Implementation
• Overarching cap-and-trade – but only small role in overall program
Urgency
• Overall GHG emissions• 2030: 40% below 1990 levels• 2045: Net-zero emissions
• Electricity• 2030:
• 50% renewable energy• 50% increase in energy efficiency
• 2045: Goal: 100% renewable energy
• Significant transportation and agriculture initiatives
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Southern California Edison, Nov. 2019
Social Justice
• Overarching commitment to environmental and economic equity• Economic protection• Worker protections• Distribution of clean transition benefits• Co-pollutant benefits• Process: Meaningful engagement
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• Global Warming Solutions Act: • “Ensure that activities undertaken
to comply with the regulations do not disproportionately impact low-income communities” (38562(b)(2)
• Frequent references to considering broad array of potential costs and benefits
• 35% of cap-and-trade revenue for low-income and disadvantaged communities
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Comprehensive Equity Commitments
Economic Protection
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Economic Protection
• Reduce electricity demand • Electricity bill assistance
14
Worker Provisions – The Issues
Just Transition for Fossil-Fuel Workers
New Opportunities for Disadvantaged Communities
15
Worker Provisions
• Washington: Clean energy tax incentives tied to job quality
• New Mexico: Post-coal plant closure, worker and community economic development
Associated Press
16
Directing Job Opportunities to Disadvantaged Communities
• California: Job benefits in frontline communities a factor in cap-and-trade revenue grant guidelines
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Distribution of Benefits: Whose Clean Energy Transition?
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Distribution of Benefits
• Dedicate 35% of cap-and-trade revenue to benefit frontline communities (In fact: 57%; $1.9 billion)
19
Additional Benefit Programs
• Utility investments in solar for multi-family affordable housing
• CA clean car rebates reserved for moderate- and low-income residents
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The Importance of Co-Pollutant Co-Benefits
• Correlation between GHGs and co-pollutants
• Location of GHG reductions affects location of co-pollutant reductions
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Co-pollutant Co-Benefits
• California: GHG strategies must complement air quality efforts
• Implementation for large sources: parallel tracks?
22
Co-Pollutant Benefits
• Multipollutant transportation initiatives • CA Clean Car Standards• Diesel reduction programs
23
Process and Engagement
• Role of legislatures v agencies• Role of requirements v planning• Meaningful engagement
• CA: Multi-sector scoping plan• Environmental Justice Advisory
Committee
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The GND in the Rust Belt
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The GND in the Rust Belt
• “We’re not in California anymore …”
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Clean Economy Opportunities
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Implications for Federal Legislation
• Cooperative and Dynamic Federalism
• Economic, Environmental, and Social Justice Matter
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