Sacramento Standard

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) has introduced three bills in California aimed at promoting ethical energy practices in the state. The bills focus on issues such as lithium mining, carbon emissions from foreign oil transportation, and the ethical sourcing of raw materials for electric vehicles.

In a statement, Senator Grove emphasized the importance of ensuring responsible energy production, stating, “We need an ethical approach to our energy production, and that starts with ensuring our imports are produced responsibly and maximizing our domestic production.”

One of the bills, Senate Bill 1087, addresses the carbon emissions and ethical considerations of transporting foreign oil to California. Senator Grove highlighted the need for California to reduce its dependence on oil imports from countries with poor human rights and environmental records. She pointed out that California could produce its own oil, creating jobs and improving energy security.

Regarding the sourcing of raw materials for electric vehicles, Senator Grove expressed concerns about the use of cobalt mined under exploitative conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Senate Bill 1239 aims to ensure that suppliers certify that the cobalt and lithium used in zero-emission vehicles purchased by the state come from child-labor free sources.

Senator Grove's bills also target domestic energy production. Senate Bill 974 seeks to benefit local communities impacted by lithium mining by allocating a portion of the lithium extraction excise tax to mitigate any negative effects of the mining activities.

Senator Grove's initiatives align with a broader effort to promote ethical energy practices and reduce environmental and social harm associated with energy production. The bills will be discussed in legislative committees in April, signaling a potential shift towards more sustainable and responsible energy policies in California.