The Right To Zero campaign is transforming the way we use energy and transport goods, services and ourselves across California.
From our power grid to ports, buses to garbage trucks, it’s time for California to ditch fossil fuels and lead the shift to zero-emissions. Earthjustice is fighting for zero to save lives, protect our climate and strengthen our economy.
We won’t just imagine a zero-emissions future. We will live it.
Together with a coalition of labor, environmental and public transportation activists, Earthjustice successfully pushed Los Angeles Metro to invest in a full fleet of zero-emissions electric buses. In a big win for zero emissions, LA Metro committed to America’s largest investment in electric buses: $138 million in 2017, with plans to go fully electric by 2030.
Then, late last year, California became the first state to commit to a 100% electric transit bus fleet — ten years from now, public transit agencies in the state will only be purchasing new quiet, efficient zero-emission buses.
Beginning with electric buses for the communities most impacted by toxic air pollution, this transition will clean up the air around the public transit lifelines that move us around our cities.
One of the world’s most ambitious clean energy bills — Senate Bill 100 — was signed into law on Sept. 10, 2018. The legislation sets a 100% clean electricity goal for California, proving that it’s possible to power major economies entirely with clean energy and transforming long-term energy planning by creating a distinct, tangible goal. Earthjustice has been focused on getting the bill over the finish line, since it was introduced two years ago.
Three coastal gas plants in the Los Angeles basin — representing nearly 40% of the city’s current gas portfolio — will be phased out and replaced with 100% clean energy.
The city had been advancing plans to spend billions of dollars to rebuild these gas plants, so the decision is a welcome turn of events and a fundamental shift away from polluting fossil fuels towards our clean energy future. As a part of the Los Angeles Clean Energy Coalition, Earthjustice and our partners have been active vocal opponents of the city’s plans to rebuild the unnecessary and harmful gas plants.
In Sacramento, we are pushing our lawmakers to stand for zero. Real leadership for our communities and climate means committing to zero-emissions policies now.
In the Bay Area, local leaders must invest in zero emissions infrastructure and ports to address disproportionately impacted communities, especially those in West Oakland. Earthjustice is working with those communities to make their voices heard.
The Central Valley has long struggled with poor air quality from trucking corridors and an abusive fossil fuel industry. Solving these problems will require going to zero. Earthjustice is working with Central Valley partners to strengthen air quality plans, hold decision-makers accountable, and reduce the heavy diesel pollution in the San Joaquin Valley.
In Los Angeles, Earthjustice and our partners are calling on our local leaders to invest in zero-emissions technology—not polluting alternatives. Demanding an all-electric bus fleet, ports powered by zero-pollution equipment and an end to outdated fossil fuel power plants, is pushing LA into the future.
New fossil fuel-burning power plants are in the works in Ventura County, despite California’s electricity glut. Earthjustice is standing up for clean energy and local communities by fighting against the Puente Power Plant and Calpine’s proposed Mission Rock Energy Center: two natural gas power plants that the community doesn’t want or need. On Oct. 5, 2017, a committee of the California Energy Commission issued an unprecedented statement stating that it will deny the proposed 262 megawatt Puente Power Plant project in Oxnard because of clean energy’s ability to fulfill the region’s energy needs as well as environmental concerns. This major turning point came after a three-year battle by residents, advocates, and the City of Oxnard to defeat fossil fuel giant NRG Energy’s proposed gas plant.
Logistics sprawl is creating new pollution nightmares for Inland Empire communities. Earthjustice is fighting massive freight and warehouse expansion projects like the World Logistics Center, and demanding that they incorporate zero emissions vehicles to mitigate their impacts.
Earth icon created by Setyo Ari Wibowo for the Noun Project
