California lifts renewable energy target to 73% by 2032
The California Public Utilities Commission raised renewable energy procurement targets, plans for a more aggressive decarbonization plan, and includes increased reliability provisions.
California
California is home to some of the nation’s most ambitious climate, housing, and social policy experiments. This archive tracks the progress stories and milestones emerging from the state — from clean energy breakthroughs to community health wins.
Western monarch butterflies make a spectacular comeback in California
The population of monarch butterflies overwintering in California has increased a hundredfold, according to an annual count: more than 247,000 butterflies were counted in 2021, up from 2,000 butterflies in 2020.
LA City Council votes unanimously to end urban oil drilling
This big win follows on the heels of similar recent phase-out votes by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Culver City Council.
Apple to start backing self-service technology repair
The program, Self Service Repair, will include tools, manuals, and Apple parts for users to fix their own products when something goes awry. It is set to launch in 2022.
Facebook to stop targeting ads based on race, sexual orientation, and politics
Facebook said it decided to make these changes to “address feedback from civil rights experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders on the importance of preventing advertisers from abusing the targeting options we make available.”
New facility in California to create 400,000 pounds of lab-grown meat a year
UPSIDE Foods just opened a major facility in Emeryville, California to scale production of the more environmentally-friendly and humane alternative to traditional meats.
A “functional cure” for HIV to begin human trials
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave approval to Excision Biotherapeutics to use its innovative HIV treatment in Phase I/II human trials.
Wright Electric plans to put 100-passenger electric airplanes in service by 2026
Wright Electric plans to build a fleet of the converted electric planes, which will have a range of about one hour or 460 miles. It’s enough range to go from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Climate lies banned from monetization on Google and YouTube
In a statement, Google said it will restrain advertisement revenue for creators who refer to climate change as a hoax.
California to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers by 2024
A gas-powered leaf blower for just one hour produces the same amount of emissions as a drive from Los Angeles to Denver.