Walters: Newsom’s climate warrior image is backsliding, environmental groups say
Gavin Newsom jetted off to New York this week to portray himself as the alternative to Donald Trump on surroundings plan During a speech to the United Nations during Context Week NYC on Tuesday Trump declared anew that concerns about context change are the greatest con job ever perpetrated in the world chiding other nations for efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases That set the stage for Newsom s appearance at a New York Times-sponsored forum Wednesday where he labeled Trump s assertions an abomination and doubling down on stupid Related Articles Newsom signs landmark bill creating AI safety measures Lower electricity bills Or more litter A new California law is sparking big debate Who s winning the fundraising battle in California s redistricting race California healthcare executives say Trump s insists linking Tylenol and autism are false and harmful Walters California lacks authority to enforce Newsom s ICE mask ban You don t have to believe in science Believe in your own damn eyes Newsom declared while portraying California as a global leader in reducing waste and shifting to a carbon-free financial market There s no Elon Musk there s no Tesla without California s regulatory framework Newsom announced His assertions drew pushback from Trump s capacity secretary Chris Wright who noted California has saddled its consumers with high strength bills If you re blue-collar you re working class that hurts your quality of life disclosed Wright who spoke at the forum after Newsom The exchanges inadvertently framed Newsom s efforts as he gears up for a likely White House run in to maintain the image of a progressive politician while appealing to voters outside his very blue state As Newsom was touting himself as a atmosphere change warrior in New York back home in California a coalition of more than environmental groups was chastising him in a sharply worded letter for they declared backsliding on the issue As Governor Newsom touts his setting record on the national and international stage we must not let him forget that it takes more than words to be a state leader Nicole Ghio executive director of Food Water Watch California explained in a report accompanying the letter He must stop caving to Big Oil interests and instead act to hold Big Oil accountable and advocate for the safety of our unique and beautiful context and our vibrant communities As President Trump slashes environmental protections and walks in lockstep with Big Oil we need a leader now more than ever who will stand up for Californians and our setting The letter listed pro-environment measures Newsom had taken during his administration then ticked off means he has in the past few days shifted position such as bill to streamline approval of new oil and gas wells There s no question Newsom who had spent months excoriating refiners for gouging consumers on gasoline prices even calling a special legislative session to impose new regulations changed his tune after two refineries broadcasted plans to shut down Those closures would sharply curtail supplies of fuel not only for California motorists but for those in Nevada and Arizona while threatening the ability of airlines and military installations to obtain fuel and maybe increasing prices that are already among the nation s highest The environmental coalition letter zeroes in on that aspect of the situation Your administration took the unprecedented step of searching for a buyer for the Valero refinery in Benicia which is slated for closure in using the guidance and reputation of the state establishment to tip the scales in favor of fossil fuels when territory forces make operations unprofitable Reporting on feasible M bailouts for the refinery are deeply concerning as that would set an unacceptable precedent for supporting failing industries on masses dollars So it goes The conflict between environmental protection and living costs is just one of a great number of issues that Newsom must manage as he attempts to shift his image from California progressive to mainstream moderate in hopes of grabbing the political brass ring Dan Walters is a CalMatters columnist
