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Governor Gavin Newsom is back in California today following a trip to the East Coast and is likely to resume signing – and vetoing – the hundreds of bills on his desk. Once again, the clock is ticking and a high-stakes deadline is looming. Newsom has until next Friday to take action on bills sent to him by the California Legislature, including BizFed-backed AB 1322 (R. Rivas).
AB 1322 directs California regulators to come up with a plan to incentivize the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is up to 80% cleaner than regular jet fuel. It can be made sustainably, right here in California, with a variety of feedstocks. We need to embrace SAF to help the state meet its ambitious climate change goals. The electrification of aviation is still decades away.
There isn't enough SAF to meet demand right now because of price signals on the renewable fuel market. Incentives must be created to spur more SAF production. AB 1322 directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to study the most appropriate incentive mechanisms and price signals to ensure SAF production increases.
Newsom recently signed a package of sweeping climate bills into law (click here for the full list – it's long!) but has yet to take action on AB 1322 despite its bipartisan support. We need you to speak up NOW to get this bill across the finish line. If the governor is going to push aggressive climate goals, he must support efforts that help the state hit those marks. AB 1322 has support across all industries because it's a near-term solution that makes sense for all Californians.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Wiltfong, BizFed Director of Advocacy & Policy, at sarah.wiltfong@bizfed.org.
Onward and upward toward cleaner skies!
