Hawaii shuts down its last coal-fired power plant
In 2020, Hawaii’s Legislature passed a law banning the use of coal for energy production at the start of 2023.
States & provinces
California bans new combustion car sales from 2035
The California Air Resource Board expects this move to slash vehicle emissions – the top source of anthropogenic carbon emissions – by 50% in 2040, paving the way for a race to zero emissions by 2050.
Australian Capitol Territory becomes first state in Australia to ban conventional cars
The sale of new cars and light trucks with internal combustion engines within the ACT will be prohibited beginning in 2035.
California becomes first U.S. state to move back school start times
In 2019, California legislators passed a first-of-its-kind law requiring that all public high schools begin classes no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and that middle schools start no earlier than 8 a.m. The law officially went into effect on July 1.
New Jersey governor signs bills protecting out-of-state abortion seekers and reproductive health care providers
The bills, A3974 and A3975, shield health care providers from other state’s inquiries and prohibit the extradition of any person who comes to New Jersey seeking legal abortion services.
Mississippi expands solar net metering rules
The new rules expand the state’s net metering program by raising the participation cap for rooftop solar and prioritizing solar adoption for low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers, among other steps.
California passes first sweeping US law to reduce single-use plastic
The bill states that 30% of plastic items sold or bought be recyclable by 2028 and economic responsibility falls to producers
Rhode Island passes soonest 100% renewable electricity commitment in USA
Governor Daniel McKee signed a new bill into law that commits Rhode Island to get 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources no later than 2033.
Colorado will not cooperate with other states’ abortion investigations after governor issues executive order
The Department of Regulatory Affairs was also instructed to protect people working in Colorado from disciplinary action against a professional license for providing reproductive health care
1,000 acres of forest to be returned to Onondaga Nation in historic lake cleanup agreement
It is one of the largest land transfers made to an Indian nation in the United States, officials said, and the first time that land has been returned directly to a New York tribe.