As reported by CalMatters, a new report drafted by Beacon Economics and environmental nonprofit Next 10 concludes that California is not on track to meet its 2030 climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels. In fact, the analysis points out that based on the trajectory of state emission increases since 2010, the 2030 goal won’t be achieved until 2047. Consequently, California would need to “triple its rate of reducing greenhouse gases through 2030” in hopes of meeting the mark.
Most of these reductions need to occur outside the transportation sector – for example, in electric power generation and buildings. However, expanded application of renewable natural gas in these areas could be a game changer in helping California reach its 2030 milestone, given its versatility and use, including as a replacement for fossil natural gas in these hard-to-decarbonize sectors.