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California governor toughens climate change goals

California Gov. Jerry Brown poses for a selfie with Kristin Parker and her three-month old son, Rutherford Kermit Rich after attending the People's Inauguration Party outside the state Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Sacramento, Calif. Brown made history Monday when he was sworn in for his fourth term as governor of California, cautioning that the state is positioned for a bright future if it can live within its means. The 76-year-old Democrat told the audience at his inauguration that California is at a crossroads. The party was hosted by the Orange County Employees Association and the California Labor Federation. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
California Gov. Jerry Brown poses for a selfie with Kristin Parker and her three-month old son, Rutherford Kermit Rich after attending the People's Inauguration Party outside the state Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Sacramento, Calif. Brown made history Monday when he was sworn in for his fourth term as governor of California, cautioning that the state is positioned for a bright future if it can live within its means. The 76-year-old Democrat told the audience at his inauguration that California is at a crossroads. The party was hosted by the Orange County Employees Association and the California Labor Federation. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By Associated Press 5 min read

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – As he was sworn in for a record fourth term, Gov. Jerry Brown charted an ambitious new goal on Monday for California in its fight against climate change, challenging the nation’s most populous state to increase renewable energy use to 50 percent in the next 15 years.

Brown, a Democrat, specifically called for the state to increase renewable electricity sources, reduce petroleum use in vehicles, double the energy efficiency of existing buildings and make heating fuels cleaner by 2030.

California already is known as a leader in far-reaching environmental laws, but Brown said existing efforts were not enough and it’s time to establish new goals for reducing greenhouse gases.

The current state goal calls for 33 percent of energy use to come from renewable sources by 2020. As of last year, nearly 25 percent of California’s retail electricity came from renewable energy, not including large dams, the state energy commission said.

“We must demonstrate that reducing carbon is compatible with an abundant economy and human well-being,” Brown said during his inauguration speech. “So far, we have been able to do that.”