California’s Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act, AB 3233

We celebrate the 9/25/24 signing of California AB3233, along with AB1866 and AB2716, by Governor Newsom. “It was Chevron that sued Monterey County and a voter initiative,” as the Governor stated in the 9/25 signing ceremony, at 22:07. Ceremony, including intro by Physicians for Social Responsibility: https://www.youtube.com/live/J2sAAls_Ljc?si=4NN3W2Yftrsj79E_ Thank you, Governor, for hearing the voice of the people, and big thanks to Protect Monterey County, the Center for Biological Diversity and the broad coalition (e.g., including those in the letter below) who stood up to the oil and gas industry to accomplish this win for people and planet.

For some related Monterey County history, see our 2016 post: https://bikemonterey.org/risky-oil-operations-in-monterey-county.html

We encourage supporters of AB 3233 to phone the Governor on September 24 at (916) 445-2841.

Simply state your name, where you live, and that you are calling to urge the Governor to sign AB 3233 to help protect communities from deadly pollution, advance California’s climate goals, and hold the oil industry accountable for its actions.

Background: Late on Saturday night, 8/31/24, the California legislature passed AB3233 to affirm local choice on oil and gas operations. The bill passed the Senate, 21-12, and passed the Assembly 46-15. 

We and other coalition partners (see letter below) have urged Governor Newsom to sign this bill. You are likewise encouraged to contact him too! https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/.

“Communities should be able to make decisions about the oil and gas projects in their own backyards,” said Dr. Laura Solorio, president of Protect Monterey County. “This bill is vital to protecting democracy as well as our health and environment.” More info: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/california-senate-passes-bill-to-affirm-local-choice-on-oil-gas-operations-2024-09-01

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Info below was previously published April 9, 2024.

California’s Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act, CA Assembly Bill 3233 (#AB3233, Assembly Member Dawn Addis) passed by 8 votes to 3 in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on April 8, 2024.

April 17th is the bill’s next hearing, in the Utilities and Energy Committee. It’s likely to be a closer vote, and legislators will need to see support. If you’re a California resident and support this bill, call 1, 2, 3, or even all of the legislators on the committee list https://autl.assembly.ca.gov/members and urge them to vote YES on AB 3233.

Why have Bicycling Monterey, Callifornia Bicycle Coalition, Climate Reality Project Monterey Bay, and many others expressed support for AB3233? https://www.cavsbigoil.com/about As the Center for Biological Diversity stated, “Oil companies are undermining the rights of local governments to protect their communities from oil and gas pollution. This bill reaffirms the rights of cities and counties to restrict oil and gas production in their area. It will protect public health, our climate, and local democracy.” Some related Monterey County history: https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey/111937605064418896

The post was first published 9 April 2024, then republished with updated info on 3 September 2024.