ADVOCACY REPORT
for a California Air Resources Board (CARB)-supported amendment to remove Scope 3 from the bill, but the proponents rejected it. Of note, Governor Newsom has already stated that the implementation deadlines in SB 253 are “likely infeasible” and that the reporting could result in “inconsistent reporting across businesses.” Given these potential inconsistencies, the governor has directed his Administration to work with the Legislature on what is known as “clean-up” legislation in 2024. Ag Council Leadership on Climate Policies One theme I notice here at home is that California’s environmental aims are so high that the state can sometimes neglect its ability to attain more realistic solutions. It is important that we seek collaboration and resources to help us achieve climate goals, just as our international partners have done. At Ag Council, we have demonstrated leadership in the climate policy arena. Over a decade ago, we were one of the only entities in the agricultural sector testifying at CARB ahead of the first cap-and-trade auction market, which impacts many growers and businesses in the agriculture industry. Early on, we highlighted the need for a reinvestment of funds into agriculture. Initially, our sector was not on the priority list for funding from the auction market, but with the support of Secretary Ross and others, we are now successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions through multiple state climate programs. Ag Council partnered with others to successfully negotiate strong investments in climate smart agriculture programs with former Governor Jerry Brown in 2018. We advocated for the creation of the Food Production Investment Program (FPIP) and Blue Diamond Growers was awarded a grant through FPIP in 2019 to install high efficiency boilers at its Sacramento facility. Overall, the state has invested approximately $2 billion in the climate-smart agriculture space. The federal government
Emily Rooney with CDFA Secretary Ross and others in Spain. Photo credit: Ag Council of California
has followed with funding via the USDA to advance climate-smart agricultural practices, such as the USDA Climate-Smart Grant awarded to Blue Diamond Growers . With SB 253 recently signed into law, Ag Council has a seat at the table once again, and our team will continue to demonstrate leadership by working to find achievable solutions for Blue Diamond and all of our members as you work to meet California’s ambitious climate standards. State Legislature — Big Changes Coming in 2024 Pivoting to the next election, 2024 is a huge election year in California, and not simply because it’s a presidential year. 2024 will also bring the largest turnover in the State Legislature in many years. Currently, 28 legislative seats are open in 2024, meaning there are no incumbents in those races. This means that a massive opportunity exists to affect change in the composition of the Legislature. Ag Council has a strategy to identify and promote candidates who recognize our issues and who are willing to hear us out when tough policy issues come before them. In preparation for the 2024 election season, our team is analyzing district races to make the best decisions possible for our members by boosting candidates who can help us achieve success for our members.
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ALMOND FACTS
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