With significant legislation implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California, the state’s Climate Action Team plans to shift its focus to mitigation programs. “The Climate Action Team will continue coordinating the state climate mitigation and adaptation programs, focusing on ensuring that statutory objectives are achieved and furthering the state’s interests in protecting its people and resources from the risks of climate change,” according to its report released late last month. It is the most recent in a series of periodic reports prepared by the climate team for the governor and state Legislature. In its 2010 annual report, the group says that getting and keeping the various state agencies on the same page regarding energy policy also is a priority. “The electricity sector is being asked to achieve significant environmental and energy security objectives as it transitions to low-carbon resources. Continued coordination by the Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and others is necessary to implement the substantial investments that are planned in energy efficiency, transmission capacity, renewable resources, and more efficient use of fossil resources,” states the report. Such coordination would help ensure that electricity service remains affordable, reliable, and safe, the report states. Two new working groups are to be created to incorporate efforts on green jobs and green technology and to examine the potential environmental effects of particular mitigation strategies. Each group is expected to propose preliminary policy recommendations, according to the 2010 report. Additionally, the Energy Commission, in conjunction with other team member agencies, is expected to complete a climate change vulnerability assessment by the end of 2011. The team is currently chaired by California Environmental Protection Agency secretary Linda Adams and comprised of a total of 20 representatives from various state agencies, including the state Public Utilities Commission and Energy Commission and Air Resources Board. “Coordination and expansion of existing outreach and data dissemination efforts will become increasingly important as the state implements climate policies and programs,” the report states.
