California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill extending the state's cap-and-trade program through 2045. The program sets a declining limit on total planet-warming emissions in the state from major polluters. The new law potentially boosts carbon-removal projects and requires the program to align with California's target of achieving so-called carbon neutrality by 2045. Newsom also signed laws to speed up permitting for oil production in Kern County, refill a fund that covers the cost of wildfire damage when utility equipment sparks a blaze and allow the state's grid operator to partner with a regional group to manage power markets in western states.

California is spending $500 million to put an additional 1,000 electric school buses on the road. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office announced Wednesday that 1,000 zero-emission school buses and related charging infrastructure will be provided to over 130 rural, low-income and disadvantaged school districts. It comes as cuts and freezes of federal grants paused efforts in other states to replace aging diesel-fueled fleets that are more polluting. In California, the efforts do not rely on federal money primarily but rather proceeds from its cap-and-trade program. The program caps carbon emissions and requires polluters to obtain permits for each ton of carbon they release.