"Gov. Gavin Newsom wrapped up the 2025 legislative session with the usual flurry of activity, signing several important environmental, energy and climate bills and vetoing others ahead of Monday's deadline. Among the newest laws in California are efforts to accelerate clean energy projects and advance the state's position as a climate leader - but also decisions to ramp up oil drilling and reject the phase-out of forever chemicals. Here's a look at what happened this year:"
"In September, Newsom signed a blockbuster suite of bills including the reauthorization of California's signature cap-and-trade program, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and allows large polluters to buy and sell emissions allowances at quarterly auctions. The legislature extended the program by 15 years to 2045, rebranded it as "cap-and-invest" and specified how its revenues will be allocated for wildfire prevention efforts, high-speed rail and other projects."
""California really needed to act this year to decisively try to put in policies to meet our climate goals [and support] the economy and different sectors," said Susan Nedell, senior western advocate with the nonpartisan policy group E2. She called state legislative efforts especially important as the Trump administration aims to erode California's authority on tailpipe emission standards, electric vehicle initiatives and renewable energy projects, among others."
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed dozens of energy and environment bills and vetoed others during the 2025 legislative session. New laws aim to limit planet-warming pollution, accelerate clean energy projects and reinforce California's climate leadership. The legislature reauthorized the cap-and-trade program for 15 years, rebranded it as cap-and-invest and specified revenue uses for wildfire prevention, high-speed rail and other projects. The greenhouse gas trading program supports goals such as carbon neutrality by 2045. Controversial actions include measures to ramp up oil drilling and the decision not to phase out forever chemicals. State advocates framed action as necessary amid federal challenges to California's regulatory authority.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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