The Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board writes on the environmental damage of California’s wildfires.
- New research has found that emissions from California’s 2020 wildfires negated two decades worth of greenhouse gas reductions.
- The state is known for having the most stringent climate regulations in the country, but has largely failed to implement active forest management practices.
- California should reduce barriers to allow landowners and municipalities to implement active forest management practices such as mechanical trimming and prescribed burns.
“While utilities rushed to meet state renewable energy mandates—one reason California’s electric rates are double those in neighboring states—tree-trimming and burying power lines were a low priority. Some of the state’s most destructive wildfires were caused by utility power lines and equipment.”
Read the full article here.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
