SB394 passes California legislature and now awaits Gov. Newsom’s signature

A bill to ensure California creates a master plan for healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient schools is headed to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom after passing the California Senate this afternoon. SB 394 (Gonzales, D) will help cut fossil fuel pollution by upgrading schools with technologies that can safeguard children amid the extreme heat, wildfires and superstorms that are resulting from the climate crisis. 

The bill requires the California Energy Commission to coordinate key state agencies to develop a plan to align funding for school facilities with the state’s decarbonization, climate adaptation, and extreme heat goals, while also ensuring California is positioned to utilize new incentives resulting from the Inflation Reduction Act to conduct clean energy retrofits.

In response to the passage, Jonathan Klein, co-founder of UndauntedK12 released the following statement:

“California legislators took a bold step today to invest in the future of our school children. As a former educator and, just as importantly, as a father, I am grateful for their leadership.

Children have a right to learning environments that are modern and safe and don’t contribute to the climate crisis, and this bill is an important step. We and our coalition partners hope Governor Newsom will demonstrate his commitment to the next generation of California students by signing this vital piece of legislation.”