Below is a listing of some of the legislation we worked to pass in 2009.
Residential Retro-fits and Audit Bill (AB 758)
Status
This bill has been signed by the Governor!
More about the bill
Throughout the state, a number of
different local initiatives have made it possible to make existing
state and federal buildings more energy efficient. But Assembly Member
Nancy Skinner, known for her strong leadership on environmental issues,
has taken it to an entirely new level, by introducing AB 758, a bill
that would task the Energy Commission with developing a program to make
both residential and commercial buildings even more energy efficient.
AB
758 is a great step forward in requiring to make California's current
infrastructure more energy efficient, and not just limiting it to the
traditional commercial buildings, but expanding it to residential
buildings as well. Under AB 758, the Energy Commission is responsible
for developing a comprehensive program capable of achieving greater
energy savings in buildings. This bill would also require electrical
companies to provide their customers with financing options to
implement an energy efficiency program. While this bill is centered
around creating a statewide energy audit program, that is very much
needed, an opportunity for public outreach and education, in addition
to green workforce training.
In order to combat global warming, everyone must reduce their energy
consumption, and with the development of a statewide energy audit
program AB 758 requires that a targeted amount of those audits must be
of low- or no-cost to the consumer. The Ella Baker Center is excited
that this bill acknowledges that economic barriers that make it hard,
and often times impossible for low-income households to participate in
programs like these, and does something to address that. The Ella Baker
Center will be working hard to see that low-income and disadvantaged
communities are able to take advantage of these low-cost audits, to
lessen their energy bill and lower their carbon footprint.
Renewable Energy Workforce Readiness Initiative (AB 3)
Status
This bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
More about the bill
Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérréz introduced
AB 3 into the legislature to create a Renewable Energy Workforce
Readiness Initiative. Peréz is committed to providing safe, healthy and
equitable employment opportunities for all individuals, not just some.
This bill works hard to ensure that green-collar career placement and
advancement opportunities within California's renewable energy sector
are made available to disadvantaged communities and individuals with
barriers to employment. So, this would include formerly incarcerated,
displaced and incumbent workers in transition, veterans, at-risk youth,
etc.
Assembly Member Peréz is unwavering in his commitment in
lifting communities out of poverty and putting them at the forefront of
the economy of the future—the green economy. The Ella Baker Center is
honored to Co-Sponsor AB 3 alongside the California State NAACP,
because it outlines how to directly invest in communities that need
positive job opportunities to improve their lives, their communities
and their environment. We must have the proper policies in place to
ensure that all communities have a chance for success in California's
renewable energy economy, and AB 3 is leading the way in accomplishing
just that.
For more information on AB 3, please click here.
Global Warming Compliance Offsets & Air Quality in California Act (AB 1404)
Status
This bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
More about the bill
Starting in the year 2012, the
state of California will begin regulating the reduction of the gases
(greenhouse gases) that are causing global warming. Making sure that
big polluting industries are responsible for the carbon and pollution
they cause is a critical component of this effort. Assembly Members De
Leon, Carter and V. Manuel Peréz understand this and are committed to
create accountability and make our efforts to combat global warming
successful. At the same time, they are fighting to improve the air
quality for Californians through AB 1404, which will limit the use of
carbon offsets—credits that heavy polluting businesses can buy instead
of directly reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions—to no more than
10%.
AB 1404 will ensure that California neighborhoods are
cleaned up through carbon offsets. Not only that, but it also requires
that those neighborhoods that are most polluted are the ones that get
cleaned up. This bill will improve the air quality in California and
create green-collar jobs in the communities that have been devastated
by air pollution and high unemployment. It will ensure that the
clean-up projects are real and protect the most vulnerable communities
in our state.
For more information on AB 1404, please click here.
Green Collar Jobs Council, Part II (AB 1394)
Status
This bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
More about the bill
Last year, the Ella Baker Center
worked extremely close with then, Speaker of the House Fabian Nuñez
in crafting and passing AB 3018, which established a Green Collar Jobs
Council as part of California's Workforce Investment Board.
This Council was designed to help align investment in California's
workforce with the transition into a more sustainable and energy
efficient economy. When the bill passed last year with representation
from labor, community based organizations, and more, it was a huge win
for California. So, with the passage of AB 3018, it is time to turn
towards implementation. AB 1394, authored by the current
Speaker of the House, Assembly Member Karen Bass, authorizes the
necessary and appropriate funds for the use in administering and
structuring the Green Collar Jobs Council.
