Calif. governor wants to slash fuel use, grow renewables

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) proposed Monday to cut in half the gasoline and diesel fuel used by vehicles and get half the state’s electricity from renewable sources.

Brown set out both proposals in his the inaugural address for his fourth term, as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from California.

{mosads}“California has the most far-reaching environmental laws of any state and the most integrated policy to deal with climate change of any political jurisdiction in the Western Hemisphere,” Brown said to the state’s legislature, according to his prepared remarks. “These efforts, impressive though they are, are not enough.”

“We must demonstrate that reducing carbon is compatible with an abundant economy and human well-being,” he said. “So far, we have been able to do that.”

Both of his climate goals would have 15-year timelines.

Brown framed the proposals as the next steps beyond the state’s landmark 2006 climate change law, which seeks a 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Brown said the state is “well on our way” toward meeting the 2020 goals, and it’s time to set policies for the years that follow.

The renewable energy mandate would come as an update to a 2011 law that will eventually require electric utilities get a third of their power from renewable sources like wind or solar power.

In addition to that and the petroleum and renewable policies, Brown wants to double the efficiency of buildings within California and make heating fuels cleaner, he said.