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. This pathway prioritizes mature technologies—such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and electric appliances—to achieve emissions reductions of 47 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, compared to the state's current Draft Scoping Plan which relies on uncertain carbon dioxide removal. The proposed scenario includes a 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales standard for cars and light-duty trucks by 2030, 100 percent electrification of new appliances by 2030, and a carbon neutral electricity system by 2035. These actions are estimated to add $28 billion to the state's economy and create nearly 170,000 new jobs by 2030, while preventing over 1,300 deaths and 26,600 asthma attacks annually by 2030.

• California is currently not on track to meet its 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels, requiring a tripling of the current pace of reductions.
• 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 the Deeper Decarbonization Scenario include a 100 percent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales standard for new cars and light-duty trucks by 2030 (and heavy-duty freight by 2035), 100 percent electrification of new appliances by 2030, and a carbon neutral electricity system by 2035.
• Implementing the Deeper Decarbonization Scenario is estimated to add $28 billion to California's economy and create nearly 170,000 new jobs in 2030, with a peak of nearly 200,000 new jobs in 2036.
• The scenario's health benefits include preventing more than 1,300 deaths and 26,600 asthma attacks per year by 2030, and avoiding $20 billion in health and climate damages in that same year.

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} }