Governor Newsom’s Proposed State Budget is a Bold Step Toward Addressing the Climate Crisis and Building a More Equitable Clean Economy

(Sacramento, CA — Jan. 10, 2022) Earlier today, Governor Gavin Newsom released a proposed budget for California’s next fiscal year, outlining expenditures on a range of issues impacting human health and the environment. The proposed spending would manage California’s large budget surplus and support public and private investment across the state.  With $22.5 billion in proposed climate-related expenditures, the budget is a demonstration of California’s climate leadership and will catalyze action beyond the state’s borders. 

“Governor Newsom’s budget proposal is a bold step toward ensuring California makes the investments necessary to address the magnitude of the climate crisis, improve environmental equity, support a clean economy and protect public health.

“The proposed investments in drought relief and rural communities, wildfire suppression and clean transportation will aid the state’s transition to a low carbon economy while also helping people as they struggle with the impacts of a changing climate, rebuild from the largest wildfires in our state’s history and cope with the ongoing pandemic.

“As our state continues to fight against Covid and climate change, we commend the governor’s leadership and his strategy leveraging the state’s budget surplus to ensure future generations are better protected from these complex challenges.” 

• Katelyn Roedner Sutter, Senior Manager for U.S. Climate at EDF