Tom Steyer Statement on the Passage of California Cap-and-Trade and Air Quality Legislation

NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer today issued the following statement in response to the passage of AB 617—a bill that would improve air quality for Californians—and AB 398—a bill that would extend California’s cap-and-trade system:

“Today, the California Legislature voted to force polluters to clean up their act or pay the price for polluting our air. AB 617 is a major step forward for the people of California, where our most vulnerable communities have long suffered the negative health effects of corporate pollution.

“As the Trump Administration tries to drag our country backwards, the extension of California’s cap-and-trade program is crucial to maintaining our state’s global climate leadership. This bill is not perfect, but the program laid out by AB 398 provides us more opportunities to do better in the future. We will continue to fight for the strongest possible program that will protect our air and water, and create the strongest possible economy based on clean energy for a more equal and just California.”