The 2022 Scoping Plan Update will assess progress towards achieving the Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) 2030 target and lay out a path to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045. The electricity sector is poised to play a pivotal role in our deep decarbonization efforts. The sector needs to substantially reduce emissions, while demand rises, as other sectors such as transportation and buildings look to electrification to migrate from fossil fuels to reduce their own emissions. This transition will require unprecedented build rates of new renewable and zero-carbon generation and storage resources, while simultaneously addressing concerns regarding reliability, resiliency, competing priorities for land use, and consumer affordability.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB), in collaboration, with the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and California Independent System Operator, have assembled speakers to discuss the electricity sector in meeting the State’s energy, climate, and air quality goals. This workshop will inform the 2022 Scoping Plan Update. Stakeholder input and feedback are encouraged.

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.

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.

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.