An environmental group is criticizing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s climate leadership in a six-figure government buyout ad that claims his California policies have “significantly undermined climate progress.”
While running for governor in 2018, Newsom said he would close the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in California — the site of the largest methane leak in U.S. history. “I’m fully committed to doing that,” Newsom told a reporter when asked if he would close the facility. “The question is how quickly we can do it, but my commitment is to make it happen. We need to be more aggressive than we were before.”
Newsom added that he is “unequivocally” committed to closing it, but environmental groups are demanding that the governor not allow the facility to remain open after six years.
Food & Water Action, the political and lobbying arm of the climate change advocacy organization Food & Water Watch, on Monday announced a $100,000 ad buy against Newsom in four battleground states — Nevada, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Michigan.
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Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference where he signed legislation related to the oversight of oil and gas wells. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
The ad buy specifically targets Newsom’s leadership on climate, specifically for not following through on his campaign promise regarding the Aliso Canyon facility.
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The ad says: “Americans are looking for leadership to resist Trump’s attack on our climate. Someone who follows through and won’t back down.” “Governor Newsom has promised to close Aliso Canyon, site of the largest gas explosion in U.S. history. It’s a public health disaster. But his Public Utilities Commission is considering keeping it open indefinitely — just as the oil and gas industry wants. Climate leadership is what we’re looking for. ”
However, in a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Newsom’s spokesman, Daniel Villaseñor, said the governor’s “energy policy is ambitious, not reckless.”
“We are committed to closing Aliso Canyon safely without harming working families through higher utility bills,” the spokesperson said. “No governor has done more to accelerate our transition to clean, renewable energy, but it would be irresponsible to close Aliso Canyon before demand for natural gas declines. This is exactly a recipe for the same price spikes we have seen in the gasoline market.” “
A woman holds a sign while attending a public hearing about a massive natural gas leak, on January 16, 2016, in Granada Hills, near Porter Ranch, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Newsom “wants to phase out Aliso Canyon, but not at the expense of massive price increases for working families and our ability to keep the lights on,” Villaseñor added. The California Public Utilities Commission plans to meet Dec. 19 to discuss the future of the facility.
The environmental group claims Newsom is trying to pose as a climate change champion, but his record in California suggests otherwise.
“Governor Newsom wants to position himself as a national leader on climate and in opposition to Trump, but he cannot be a credible national leader if his house is not well,” said Mitch Jones, deputy director of the Food and Water Organization. In a press release.
“While Newsom has taken some important steps on oil drilling, other policies have dramatically undermined climate progress. These policies include undermining rooftop solar, embracing industry-backed plans like dirty biogas and carbon capture, and so far failing to deliver on his promise to shut down Aliso.” “Canyon”. Jones added.
While there is still pressure from environmental groups to close the facility, it remains the largest underground natural gas storage facility in California, and its operation has helped the state avoid potential increases in energy prices, according to the Energy Information Administration.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was one of the Biden campaign’s top surrogates. (Don Campbell/Herald-Palladium)
The ads were launched particularly in hotly contested states amid months of speculation that Newsom might launch a presidential bid in 2028.
Newsom was a top surrogate for President Biden during his re-election bid, and had been floated as a leading candidate to replace him at the top of the Democratic ticket before the president dropped out of the race.
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The governor’s second term in Sacramento will end at the end of next year, around the time the 2028 presidential election begins.
