Environmental groups criticize Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s climate leadership in six-figure battleground state ad buy, saying his California policies are “severely undermining climate progress” I am doing it.
While running for governor in 2018, Newsom said he would close the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in California, where the largest methane leak in U.S. history occurred. Asked if he would close the facility, Newsom told reporters, “I’m totally committed to that.” “The question is how quickly can we make it happen, but my determination is to make it happen. We need to be more proactive than ever.”
Newsom added that he was “unequivocally” committed to closing the facility, but environmental groups have criticized the governor for allowing the facility to remain open six years later.
Food & Water Action, the political and lobbying arm of Food & Water Watch, which advocates against climate change, on Monday launched a $100,000 ad campaign against Newsom in four battleground states: Nevada, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Michigan. announced the acquisition.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference that he signed the oil and gas well oversight bill. (Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)
The ad buy specifically targets Newsom’s leadership on climate change, particularly his failure to fulfill campaign promises regarding the Aliso Canyon facility.
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“Americans need leadership to resist President Trump’s attack on our nation’s climate. Someone who will follow through and won’t back down,” the ad reads. “Governor Newsom has promised to shut down the Aliso Valley, the site of the largest gas blowout in U.S. history, a public health disaster. But his Public Utilities Commission has agreed to do what the oil and gas industry wants. Is climate change leadership considering continuing to close indefinitely?
But Newsom’s spokesperson, Daniel Villaseñor, said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital that “the Governor’s energy policy is ambitious, not reckless.”
“We are committed to safely closing Aliso Canyon without negatively impacting working families with higher utility costs,” the spokesperson said. “No governor has done more to accelerate the transition to clean and renewable energy, but it would be irresponsible to shut down Aliso Canyon before demand for natural gas declines. This is a recipe for exactly the same price hikes we’ve seen in the gasoline market.”
A woman holds a placard as she attends a public hearing regarding a massive natural gas leak in Granada Hills, near Porter Ranch, California, on January 16, 2016. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Villaseñor said Newsom “wants Aliso Canyon to be phased out, but doesn’t want to sacrifice significant price increases for working families or the ability to keep the lights on.” ” he added. The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to meet Dec. 19 to discuss the future of the facility.
Environmental groups say Newsom is trying to portray himself as a champion of climate change, but his record in California suggests he is not.
“Governor Newsom wants to position himself as a national leader on climate change and against President Trump, but he can’t be a credible national leader if his home isn’t in order.” said Water Action Deputy Director Mitch Jones. In a press release.
“While Mr. Newsom has taken some important steps on oil drilling, other policies will seriously undermine progress on climate change, including weakening rooftop solar power and reducing dirty biogas and carbon dioxide. “These include acceptance of industry-backed plans such as carbon capture, and his failure so far to keep his promise to close Aliso Canyon,” Jones added.
Although there continues to be pressure from environmental groups to close the facility, it remains California’s largest underground natural gas storage facility, and its operations will help the state reduce potential energy prices, according to the Energy Information Administration. The increase was reportedly able to be avoided.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was a top surrogate for the Biden campaign. (Don Campbell/Herald Palladium)
The ads were launched amid months of speculation that Newsom could run for president in 2028, especially in battleground states.
Newsom is the front-runner in President Biden’s re-election bid and had emerged as the Democratic front-runner before the president withdrew from the race.
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The Sacramento governor’s second term ends at the end of next year, just as the 2028 presidential election begins to heat up.
Aubrey Spady is a writer for Fox News Digital.
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