Full Title: A Program for Economic Recovery and Clean Energy Transition in California
Author(s): Robert Pollin, Jeannette Wicks-Lim, Shouvik Chakraborty, Caitlin Kline, Gregor Semieniuk
Publisher(s): Department of Economics and Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Publication Date: June 10, 2021
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
This 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.