Top Line:
California sought to maintain its environmental leadership in 2024, with voters approving a $10 billion environmental bond and the state advancing its renewable energy goals — all while overcoming a large budget deficit.
Voters weighed: Electorate approved proposal 4$10 billion bond to finance projects across the state which aim to protect drinking water, fight forest fires, protect natural areas and improve resistance to floods and extreme heat.
Energy Milestone: California reached a milestone this year: 100 days with 100% carbon-free renewable electricity for at least part of each day. California Energy Commission approved the sweeping plan develop the nation’s floating offshore wind industry in ocean waters — a first-of-its-kind effort that will require billions in investment and could transform parts of the coast.
CA and the Colorado River: Managing California’s precious water resources has once again proven challenging in 2024. Colorado River basin states have remained at odds over how to manage their volatile supplies. In March, California, Arizona and Nevada agreed major cutsbut the federal government has shelved a key environmental review, handing the problem over to the incoming Trump administration.
California sought to maintain its environmental leadership in 2024, with voters approving a $10 billion environmental bond and the state advancing its renewable energy goals — all while overcoming a large budget deficit.
The legislature passed only a handful of new major environmental policies as the deficit left environmental groups and renewable energy advocates calling for increased spending. Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature scaled back their “California Climate Commitment” spending package to $44.6 billion from $54.3 billion.
Electorate approved proposal 4$10 billion bond to finance projects across the state which aim to protect drinking water, fight forest fires, protect natural areas and improve resistance to floods and extreme heat.
Standing on the front line of clean energy reached a milestone this year: 100 days with 100% carbon-free renewable electricity for at least part of each day. California Energy Commission approved the sweeping plan develop the nation’s floating offshore wind industry in ocean waters — a first-of-its-kind effort that will require billions in investment and could transform parts of the coast.
Elsewhere, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases while keeping the oil industry alive, Kern County approved a project by the state’s largest oil and gas producer to they capture millions of tons of carbon dioxide and inject it into the ground. It’s California’s first attempt to capture and bury climate-warming greenhouse gases.
Newsom continued his advocacy against fossil fuel companies. He announced a special session aimed at reduction in gas pricesalthough a month later, the California Air Resources Board approved a highly controversial overhaul climate program, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which is likely to raise gas prices.
Managing California’s precious water resources has once again proven challenging in 2024. Colorado River basin states have remained at odds over how to manage their volatile supplies. In March, California, Arizona and Nevada agreed major cutsbut the federal government has shelved a key environmental review, handing the problem over to the incoming Trump administration.
AND judge blocked the state’s first attempt to enforce California’s landmark regulation aimed at ending excessive groundwater extraction. The case, which involves growers in King County in the San Joaquin Valley, continues in January.
Low salmon numbers led to the second consecutive closure fishing season in California, p third year cancellation looks possible. State officials have also given protected status to decliners white sturgeon while federal officials have listed tuna as an endangered species — likely to impact Delta water operations for years.
The state enforced it the hottest summer on recordincluding record July heat and unusually broilers at the end of October. Despite starting ominously with a huge, uncontrollable Park Fire in July, California finished with a below-average fire year — though more than a million acres were still burning.
Outlook to 2025
Donald Trump’s election victory has alarmed state officials and environmentalists while budget challenges will continue to make spending on climate and water initiatives a challenge.
California’s major water systems, its authority to regulate vehicle emissions, federal support for offshore wind projects and wildfire disasters all depend on cooperation with the incoming Trump administration. At the same time, the cost of public policysuch as the impact of utility fire prevention projects on electric bills for everyday Californians is a growing concern of state lawmakers.
The Trump administration is likely to challenge California’s emissions standards for cars and trucks aimed at reducing pollution. Farmers and urban water districts await the relaxation of environmental restrictions on exporting water from the Delta.
More milestones will be reached toward building the costly and controversial Sites Reservoir and the Governor’s Delta tunnel design. In the Klamath River basin, 2025 could bring salmon recovery largest dam removal project in history – which was a historic victory for the tribes in the basin.