USA: Governor Newsom releases report on California's catastrophic wildfires, climate change and our energy future
MATHER – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the findings of his strike force charged with examining California’s catastrophic wildfires, climate change and our energy future.
The strike force report sets out steps the state must take to reduce the incidence and severity of wildfires, including the significant wildfire mitigation and resiliency efforts the Governor has already proposed. It renews the state’s commitment to clean energy. It outlines actions to hold the state’s utilities accountable, as well as recommended changes to stabilize California’s utilities to meet the energy needs of customers and the economy.
“Under the status quo, all parties lose – wildfire survivors, energy consumers and Californians committed to addressing climate change. The imperative now is on action. The strike force will continue its work going forward to advance the ideas generated in the report,” said Governor Newsom.
In his State of the State address, the Governor called for the creation of a strike force to develop a comprehensive strategy, within 60 days, to address the destabilizing effect of catastrophic wildfires on the state’s electric utilities. He charged the strike force with developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure California’s “continued access to safe affordable power” and to “seek justice for fire victims, fairness for employees and protection for consumers.”
The report, “Wildfires and Climate Change: California’s Energy Future,” can be read here.
The report comes at a time when wildfires are not only more frequent, but far more devastating. Fifteen of the 20 most destructive wildfires in the state’s history have occurred since 2000; ten of the most destructive fires have occurred since 2015.
Beginning on his first full day in office, Governor Newsom has taken decisive action to strengthen California’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities to mitigate wildfires and build community resilience.