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A Program for Economic Recovery and Clean Energy Transition in California

A Clean Energy Transition Program for California

This study by PERI researchers Robert Pollin, Jeannette Wicks-Lim, Shouvik Chakraborty, Caitlin Kline and Gregor Semieniuk develops a climate stabilization program for California to achieve the state’s official CO2 emissions reduction targets—a 50 percent emissions cut by 2030 and reaching zero emissions by 2045. This project will also generate an increase of over 1 million jobs throughout the state through investments in energy efficiency, clean renewable energy, infrastructure, land restoration and agriculture. The study also develops a just transition program for workers and communities in California that are currently dependent on the fossil fuel industry for their livelihoods.
>> Read LA Times article 
>> Read Truthout interview

>> Watch press conference of study release
>> Read LA Times article: "Why a California Oil Workers Union Is Getting Behind Clean Energy."
>> Watch American Prospect interview with Robert Pollin
>
> Read Truthout interview with Robert Pollin
>> Read LA Times op-ed by Norman Rogers

>> Link for all PERI state-level, green economy transition programs

coverThis study presents a robust climate stabilization project for California. It demonstrates that achieving the state’s official CO2 emissions reduction targets—a 50 percent emissions cut by 2030 and reaching zero emissions by 2045—is a realistic prospect. This climate stabilization project can also serve as a major engine of economic recovery and expanding economic opportunities throughout the state. This includes an increase of over 1 million jobs in the state through investment programs in energy efficiency, clean renewable energy, public infrastructure, land restoration and agriculture. The study also develops a detailed just transition program for workers and communities in California that are currently dependent on the state’s fossil fuel industries for their livelihoods. In particular, we focus here on condi­tions in Kern, Contra Costa, and Los Angeles counties.

The study is divided into nine sections:

1. Pandemic, Economic Collapse, and Conditions for Recovery
2. California’s Clean Energy Transition Project
3. Clean Energy Investments and Job Creation
4. Investment Programs for Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Land Restoration and Agri­culture
5. Total Job Creation in California through Combined Investment Programs
6. Contraction of California’s Fossil Fuel Industries and Just Transition for Fossil Fuel Workers
7. County-level Job Creation, Job Displacement, and Just Transition
8. Achieving a Zero Emissions California Economy by 2045
9. Financing California’s Recovery and Sustainable Transition Programs

Nineteen labor unions throughout California have endorsed this study and its findings.

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