The Latest: California governor promises more climate fights

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Latest on the California Legislature’s approval of legislation expanding the state’s climate change law, the most aggressive in the nation (all times local):

5:15 p.m.

California Gov. Jerry Brown says more climate-change laws will follow after the Legislature approved an extension of the state’s landmark law restricting greenhouse gas emissions.

At a news conference Wednesday, the Democratic governor said opponents have been vanquished. He promises more fights and victories, and says to critics: “Bring it on.”

Brown would not elaborate on his plans, saying he doesn’t want to channel a strategy he’s still pondering.

The legislation approved this week extends the legal framework that underpins California’s wide-ranging efforts to fight climate change, the most aggressive in the nation. But it doesn’t resolve a legal challenge to the highest-profile program, a tax on carbon pollution known as cap-and-trade.

Brown has also opened a committee to raise funds for a possible climate-related ballot measure in 2018.

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2:40 p.m.

California lawmakers have approved a 10-year extension of the state’s landmark climate change law.

The state Senate voted 25-13 Wednesday to pass the measure and send it to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who says he’ll sign it.

The move keeps alive the legal framework that underlies California’s wide-ranging efforts to fight climate change, the most aggressive in the nation. They range from a tax on pollution to zero-emission vehicle mandates and restrictions on the carbon content of gasoline and diesel fuel.

California’s 2006 climate change law sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The bill approved Wednesday sets a new goal to reduce emissions 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.

Critics, including most Republicans, say the law has already led to higher energy prices.