California Aims Even Higher on Emission Controls

California lawmakers have enacted a bill that aims to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. It extends previous efforts such as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 instituted to reduce emissions by 2020, along with another piece of legislation that vows to boost legislative oversight of climate change programs organized by the California Air Resources Board.

Supporters say that emissions rules have created new jobs and led to billions of dollars of investment in California’s clean energy sector. Opponents argue that the strict targets have caused some job losses, particularly in oil manufacturing.

The state, having the world’s eighth-largest economy, has further announced a goal of fighting climate change and improving air quality by putting 1.5 million zero-emission state cars on the road by 2025.