California State University, Northridge
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

CSUN has ongoing relationships and involvement with several local organizations including the United Chambers of Commerce, LA Chamber of Commerce, Devonshire P.A.L.S., Northridge East Neighborhood Council, VICA and LAEDC. Some of the most recent advocacy work is related to alternative transportation including improving local public transit and piloting the new U-Pass program with Metro. CSUN also is working with our local neighborhoods and city representatives in the development of a campus and community resiliency plan. CSUN has also signed on to the Second Nature Climate Commitment, which commits the campus to climate neutrality by 2040. In addition to our commitments CSUN also leads by example in all of our new construction being certified a LEED Gold as a minimum and building one of the first Net Zero Energy buildings in the region.

In terms of state advocacy, the best example of CSU advocacy efforts is securing environmental research funding in the cap and trade funds that became available in CA this summer. The CSU wrote letters, met with legislative staff, and testified at budget subcommittee hearings in order to express the CUS's support for strong research funding for projects related to climate change. The final outcome was $11 million “to be used to fund research on reducing carbon emissions, including clean energy, adaptation, and resiliency, with an emphasis on California.” This language was included in Section 2 of AB 109 of 2017.

CSUN has signed on to the We Are Still In campaign from Second Nature which is a statement from governors, mayors, CEO’s and college and university leaders declaring that, despite the federal government’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the nation remains committed to climate action. This joint statement is the first time that these sectors have joined together publicly in a strong show of support for climate action that is so vital to the future of our country. It asserts that: 1. In the absence of Federal support, states, cities, colleges and universities and businesses will pursue ambitious climate goals, to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions. 2. In the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities and businesses. 3. We will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to under 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.

Related to sustainability, the CSU system has taken a position on the following legislation: - SB 350 (De Leon) which established targets to increase renewable electricity to 50% by 2030…the Governor signed SB 350. CSU had a WATCH position. - SB 286 (Hertzberg) increases direct access services across the state, including the CSU…we have a SUPPORT position on SB 286, but the measure has been slowed down in the legislative process. SB 286 is a 2-year measure that we continue to support. - AB 1150 (Levine) authorized public owned utilities to expands Energy Efficiency Partnership Programs to include the CSU and UC…the Governor signed AB 1150. The CSU had a SUPPORT position and ASR worked with UC to advocate for this expansion.

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