Newsom promises job growth, not displacement, in Kern County’s shift to green energy

November 25, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom visited Kern County for his “California Jobs First Tour,” emphasizing his commitment to renewable energy and economic development.

Speaking at the state’s first carbon-neutral concrete plant, National Cement, Newsom highlighted the comprehensive planning process behind his initiative, which he described as the most extensive in California’s history.

Newsom said, “We are not looking to leave people behind. It’s not just about jumping over something and getting to the next thing. It’s about making sure as we move in that direction, as industries like this carbon-intensive industry move in a de-carbonized direction, that we’re bringing workers along, and that’s foundational in this current plan.”

The governor addressed concerns about job displacement in non-renewable energy sectors, assuring that the plan would create more jobs than currently exist. He noted that 52 community meetings and 840 participants contributed to the planning process, aiming to establish the greenest energy seen in America.

SIMILAR: Governor Newsom makes stop in Kern County for his ‘California Jobs First’ tour

“There are seven times more clean energy jobs,” Newsom said, emphasizing that the plan’s development was driven by the workers affected, not Sacramento politics. “I cannot impress upon you more there’s simply never been a process like this in the state’s history that is more granular, more comprehensive, that builds more bridges and more partnerships,” he added.

The visit included a tour of the concrete plant and a roundtable discussion on job creation in Kern County, underscoring Newsom’s push for renewable energy policies.