California Energy Policy Simulator: Earlier Action Delivers Climate, Economic, Health Benefits

Energy Innovation uses the California Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to propose a "Deeper Decarbonization Scenario" for California, arguing that relying on mature technologies—such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and building electrification—is more reliable than the unproven carbon removal strategies in the state's Draft Scoping Plan. The proposed scenario aims for a 47% emissions reduction by 2030 and predicts significant co-benefits, including $28 billion in economic growth, the creation of up to 200,000 jobs by 2036, and the prevention of thousands of deaths and asthma attacks by 2050.

• California is currently not on track to meet its 2030 climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels, requiring a tripling of the current pace of emissions reductions. The author critiques the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Draft Scoping Plan for relying on "unproven carbon dioxide removal technology" and focusing on 2045 targets rather than the 2030 goal.
• The proposed "Deeper Decarbonization Scenario" utilizes mature technologies to achieve emissions reductions of 47 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, 70 percent by 2035, and 87 percent by 2045. The most impactful policies in this scenario include a zero-emission vehicle sales standard (29 percent of scenario emissions), industry performance standards (24 percent), building electrification (15 percent), and a clean electricity standard of 92 percent by 2030.
• Implementing the Deeper Decarbonization Scenario is estimated to provide significant economic benefits, adding $28 billion to the state's economy and creating nearly 170,000 new jobs in 2030, with a peak of nearly 200,000 new jobs in 2036. Additionally, households could save over $1,500 per year in 2030 and over $2,400 per year in 2035 through the use of efficient electric vehicles and appliances.
• The transition to zero-emission vehicles, emissions-free buildings, and industrial fuel switching would yield substantial public health and climate damage savings. By 2030, the scenario is estimated to prevent more than 1,300 deaths and 26,600 asthma attacks annually, avoiding $20 billion in damages; by 2050, it could prevent over 4,100 deaths and 82,400 asthma attacks annually, avoiding $60 billion in damages.

APA

Energy Innovation (n.d.). California Energy Policy Simulator: Earlier Action Delivers Climate, Economic, Health Benefits. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/California-Energy-Policy-Simulator-Insights-One-Pager.pdf

Chicago

Energy Innovation. California Energy Policy Simulator: Earlier Action Delivers Climate, Economic, Health Benefits. n.d. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/California-Energy-Policy-Simulator-Insights-One-Pager.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Energy Innovation |title=California Energy Policy Simulator: Earlier Action Delivers Climate, Economic, Health Benefits |url=https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/California-Energy-Policy-Simulator-Insights-One-Pager.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{energyinnovationndcalifornia, author = {{Energy Innovation}}, title = {{California Energy Policy Simulator: Earlier Action Delivers Climate, Economic, Health Benefits}}, institution = {Energy Innovation}, url = {https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/California-Energy-Policy-Simulator-Insights-One-Pager.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }