Industry group welcomes climate bond and permitting reform for clean energy projects
SACRAMENTO, CA, May 12, 2023 — National business group Advanced Energy United reacted to today’s release of the Governor’s May Revised Budget proposal, which seeks to balance long-term investments in job-creating and cost-saving programs with the immediacy of a budget shortfall. The Governor's May Revised budget does not propose additional cuts to electric vehicle and clean energy programs beyond the initial budget proposal in January.
“We appreciate Governor Newsom’s ongoing commitment to protecting critical clean energy and electrified transportation programs, an acknowledgment that these investments create jobs and save people money on energy and transportation costs,” said Leah Rubin Shen, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, the national business association of companies working to achieve 100% clean energy and electrified transportation in America.
“We are also encouraged to see that the Administration is considering creative funding mechanisms, such as a climate bond, to further bolster the infrastructure investments necessary to keep the lights on, use technology to make our communities more resilient to extreme weather, and deliver on our 100% clean energy goals,” added Rubin Shen. “Likewise, we support the Administration’s commitment to prioritizing interagency efforts that maximize California’s competitiveness for federal funding. Fully leveraging federal programs to stretch the impact of strong, ongoing state funding will also bolster California’s ability to attract additional private sector investment.
“The Governor also signaled action on permitting reform for clean energy infrastructure. Making it easier to build clean energy in California, in parallel with strengthening our collaboration with the rest of the West, will improve grid reliability, create jobs, and limit costs to households. California led the way in establishing a 100% clean energy goal and should lead, in collaboration with our neighbors, on building the clean grid of the future.”
The advanced energy business community stands ready to work with the Governor’s Office and legislature in the months ahead to finalize a budget agreement that upholds our state’s clean energy and transportation leadership, and reaps the greatest benefit for all Californians.
Click here to learn more about Advanced Energy United’s work in California advocating for clean energy and electrified transportation.