Governor, lawmakers reach deal for California climate funds

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California lawmakers approved a $900 million spending package devoted to environmental programs Wednesday, hours after Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders agreed to spend nearly two-thirds of the available money generated by the state’s cap on carbon pollution. The deal, reached as lawmakers pressed to finish the two-year legislative session, includes $363 million for clean vehicle incentives and hundreds of millions for urban plants and efforts to create cleaner air in disadvantaged communities. It also includes $50 million to reduce emissions of methane and other climate-changing gases associated with landfills and dairy production. The agreement is the product of negotiations between Brown, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon of Paramount, all Democrats. The deal comes just a week after Democrats voted to extend California’s landmark climate change law, the most aggressive in the nation, by another 10 years, solidifying the state’s reputation as an environmental leader through at least 2030. That move, pushed by Brown and environmentalists, came amid fierce opposition from oil companies and other business interests.