NRDC Expert Blog
By Alex Jackson
The California Senate approved by a vote of 31 to 9 groundbreaking legislation to eliminate carbon pollution from California’s cement plants. Senate Bill 596 by Senator Josh Becker directs the Air Resources Board to develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve carbon neutrality in the cement industry no later than 2045 and to establish interim targets for reducing cement’s greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity. The bill builds on a pledge by California’s cement industry to be carbon neutral by midcentury and will identify key barriers and solutions to turn that commitment into action.
NRDC is sponsoring SB 596 in partnership with a broad coalition. The bill now moves to the Assembly where it will be heard in the Natural Resources committee on June 23rd. The Legislature has until September 10th to send bills to Governor Gavin Newsom.