AB 378 Climate Guidelines to Prioritize Disadvantaged Communities
(SACRAMENTO, CA)— Today, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) held a joint press conference to announce his climate change agenda for this legislative cycle. He was joined Assemblymember Christina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) to introduce AB 378, legislation crafted to create further climate justice guidelines to mitigate pollution impacts to disadvantaged communities.
AB 378 will require the California Air Resource Board (ARB) to consider and account for the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions particularly for communities who are disproportionately impacted. The bill would also allow ARB to continue using a carbon-pricing market mechanism to meet the statewide reduction targets established by SB 32 (Pavely, 2016).
“Equity must remain at the core of these conversations moving forward,” fervently maintained Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia whose work with AB 197 (Garcia, 2016), last year, sought to bring economically and environmentally disenfranchised communities to the forefront of California’s climate change policies. “When it comes to climate change, there are no ‘alternative facts’. The grim reality is that our most vulnerable populations, like those in my district are forced to live with the bleak reality of climate impacts every day.”
Studies show that people of color are more likely to live near greenhouse gas emitting facilities. Latinos have a 1 in 3 chance of living in a census tract that is highly impacted by greenhouse gas pollution, vs white people who have a 1 in 14 chance.
“In order for California to remain an economic and environmental leader we must also lead on issues related to equity. Transparent investments among socioeconomically, and environmentally distressed populations are needed to increase economic opportunities, public health and quality of life. I plan to work alongside my colleagues to provide parity, ensure climate equity and knock down barriers to opportunities for those most affected by pollution," said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
AB 378 is currently co-authored by Assemblymembers Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Rob Bonta (D- Oakland), Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), Reggie Jones-Sawyer Sr. (D-Los Angeles), Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino), Mark Stone (D-Santa Cruz), Susan Talamantes-Eggman (D- Stockton), Phil Ting (D- San Francisco ) and Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) . It is supported by the California Environmental Justice Alliance, National Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, California League of Conservation Voters, Union of Concerned Scientists, Coalition for Clean Air, NextGen, Environment California, American Lung Association, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Greenlining, State Building Trades Council, E2, Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, California Natural Gas Vehicles Coalition, Coalition for Clean Air and the Clean Energy Fund, among others.
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
