Public Workshop: 2022 Scoping Plan Update - Scenario Concepts Technical Workshop
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The 2022 Scoping Plan Update will assess progress towards achieving the Senate Bill 32 2030 target and lay out a path to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045. CARB will initiate development of modeled scenarios to illustrate outcomes that lead to carbon neutrality. This workshop provides an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on key questions related to future energy and technology options to help define paths to achieve carbon neutrality. A primer on the Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) PATHWAYS model will also be included. This workshop will inform the 2022 Scoping Plan Update. Stakeholder input and feedback are encouraged.
The workshop will be held virtually at the following date and time:
Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Time: 9:30 am – 1:00 pm (Pacific Time)
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to access the webinar by computer or by telephone. This workshop will be recorded.
Purpose of the Workshop
The 2022 Scoping Plan Update will assess progress towards achieving the Senate Bill 32 2030 target and lay out a path to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045. The State achieved its 2020 target four years earlier than mandated and the 2017 Scoping Plan Update laid out a cost-effective and technologically feasible path to achieve a 40 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2030. Achieving carbon neutrality will bring a number of changes to California, including moving the State away from fossil fuel combustion in a manner that supports job retention and creation as California makes a just transition towards a clean energy economy. Moreover, data shows disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by fossil fuel combustion related air pollution. A phasing out of reliance on fossil fuels will deliver greater benefits in these communities compared to non-environmental justice communities in the state. To further assist CARB in its efforts to advance environmental justice, AB 32 mandates that CARB convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to advise the Board in developing the Scoping Plan, which the Board approved May 20, 2021. CARB will consult with the Committee throughout the development of the 2022 Scoping Plan Update to ensure that environmental justice principles and actions are incorporated into the Scoping Plan.
This workshop is part of a series of workshops CARB is hosting in support of the 2022 Scoping Plan Update. Relevant materials will be available on CARB’s AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan Meetings and Workshops webpage prior to the workshops.
Tribal Participation
In recognition of the important government-to-government relationship California has with Tribes, CARB looks forward to participation of California Native American Tribes in this workshop and throughout the Scoping Plan update process. CARB also looks forward to directly engaging with Tribes, including through any request for consultation. CARB’s Tribal Relations webpage provides additional information regarding CARB’s work with Tribes as well as contact information for CARB’s Tribal Liaison.
Environmental Analysis
This workshop will serve as a scoping meeting as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to CEQA and ARB’s Certified Regulatory Program (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15251(d); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 17, §§ 60000–60007), staff is reviewing the Proposed 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan to determine if the proposed project will result in any potentially significant adverse environmental impacts. Staff will provide an overview of CARB’s process for preparing the environmental analysis (EA) and its content. Staff welcomes public input at the workshop on the appropriate scope and content of the EA at the beginning of our process, including the reasonably foreseeable methods of compliance with the Proposed 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan, the potential significant adverse impacts associated with the methods of compliance, potential feasible mitigation measures, and feasible alternatives to the proposal that could reduce or eliminate any significant adverse impacts. A Draft EA will be released for a 45-day public review and comment period with the proposed Draft 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan in Spring of 2022. Comments received at this public workshop will be considered when preparing the CEQA document.
Background
In 2006, the Legislature passed the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 [Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32)], which created a comprehensive, multi-year program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California. AB 32 required CARB to develop a Scoping Plan that describes the approach California will take to reduce GHGs to achieve the goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The Scoping Plan was first approved by the Board in 2008 and must be updated at least every five years. Since 2008, there have been two updates to the Scoping Plan. Each of the Scoping Plans have included a suite of policies centered around regulations, incentives, and carbon pricing to help the State achieve its GHG targets, in large part leveraging existing programs whose primary goal is to reduce harmful air pollution.