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California extends its ambitious climate change law by 10 years

California extends its ambitious climate change law by 10 years

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It aims to cut emissions 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030

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Democratic National Convention: Day Three
California Governor Jerry Brown
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation today to extend the state’s ambitious climate change law, the Associated Press reports. The new measures will increase California’s efforts to curb climate change and limit pollution.

The new legislation, which was signed by the Democratic governor in a Los Angeles park amid protests from oil companies and Republicans, will extend the state’s climate change law passed in 2006. That law aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The new law extends those targets, aiming to slash emissions 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030.

Brown called the new law the most aggressive target enacted by any government in North America, the AP reports. It will "keep California on the move to clean up the environment," Brown said before signing the new legislation.

It will "keep California on the move to clean up the environment"

The new targets will be met by restricting the carbon content of gas and diesel, encouraging the sales of green vehicles, and imposing a tax on pollution, according to the AP. Opposition groups say these efforts will increase energy costs for Californians. But conservation groups hailed the law’s passage.

"This bill preserves California’s place as a global climate leader by ensuring it will reduce emissions more than any other state in the nation," Adrienne Alvord, the Western states director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in a statement. "The scale and ambition of this bill will also keep California at the forefront of clean technology investment for years to come."