It's do-or-die for the California Assembly this week.
It's the final four days of the 2015 session and legislators still need to fill the hole in the health care budget, divvy up billions in cap-and-trade funds — and finally vote on climate change centerpiece SB 350.
The bill wants to impose greater energy-efficiency standards for buildings. It also wants utilities to have more renewable power. But it's most controversial move? Requiring the state to cut petroleum use in half over the next 15 years.
Republican opponents and oil industry analysts warn this could lead to everything from gas rationing to a ban on minivans.
But its moderate Democrats who may pose the greatest threat to passing the far-reaching legislation. Several Assembly Dems — many from cash-strapped districts in the Central Valley —worry that that drastic cuts in oil use could lead to even higher unemployment.
Senate Bill 350: Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015
Guests:
Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced), has released an open letter opposing the measure
State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach), supports SB 350
John Myers, KQED’s California politics and government editor
Adam Nagourney, political reporter with the New York Times who’s been covering the bills
