California Wind Energy the Next Big Thing? Gavin Newsom Details New Plans as Air Pollution Board Draws Flak

Wind energy will likely be the next big thing in California. State governor Gavin Newsom recently revealed his plans to curb climate change by attaining carbon neutrality by 2045.

Newsom announced a new set of plans to achieve the state's goal of reducing climate change on Friday. It included a directive for the California Energy Commission to plan the creation of at least 20 gigawatts of energy coming from offshore wind in 2045.

California Wind Energy Initiatives Amid Adverse Effects of Climate Change

With the Yosemite National Park recently sent ablaze because of the Oakwood Fire, the state of California is seeing the adverse effects of climate change firsthand.

Because of this, California Governor Gavin Newsom has implored the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop new plans to reduce the immense effects of climate change on the state, Yahoo News reported.

"California is in the midst of a climate crisis. Drought, wildfire, and extreme heat have become everyday realities. We are compelled to do more," Newsom said in a letter to the CARB.

But the new initiative does not mean California is at the losing end of renewable power and energy in the United States. In fact, the state has enacted laws to cut carbon emission levels by 40% to achieve carbon neutrality in 2035.

Among all 50 states, the West Coast state has the most stringent auto emissions standards, trailing behind the state of Hawaii on the most home solar energy arrays per capita. The achievement, however, has its downside, as California is among the highest gas prices in the country.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's Plans

To achieve the emission and neutrality targets, Gavin Newsom directed the CARB to use technology that could directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from California residences.

Newsom's first goal is to build "climate-ready and climate-friendly homes" for three million families by 2030 and seven million by 2035.

These "climate-ready homes" are the perfect answer to the ever-changing adverse climate conditions in the area - floods, drought, catastrophic wildfires, and ceiling-high temperature heat waves.

Aside from this, the construction of six million heat pumps in the state is being eyed by 2030, enabling homes to pump cool and heat homes more efficiently than natural gas or using traditional air conditioning.

California Air Resources Board Drew Flak for Underperformance

In the letter sent to the CARB on Friday, Gavin Newsom was in unison with environmentalists that the CARB "doesn't go far enough or fast enough" in achieving the state targets, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Environmentalists are concerned about CARB's "unrealistic" and "slow" approach to achieving the 2030 carbon neutrality target.

Carbon Plan Policy Director Danny Cullenward pointed out that it was the "cap-and-trade" program that the board was enforcing that slowed down the progress because it was "too inexpensive" for big corporations to feel the financial effect.

CARB on Monday acknowledged the governor's criticisms and remarks.

"CARB welcomes the Governor's input, thanks him for his leadership, and recognizing the ever-increasing urgency of addressing the climate emergency, will adjust the plan accordingly," CARB responded.

Should the offshore wind development in California push through, it would be the benchmark in the country, beating Massachusetts and New York, which are currently taking the lead in the industry.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ivan Korrs

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