High-tech ferry backdrop for 16 California clean energy laws

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown is using a high-tech battery-operated San Francisco Bay sightseeing ferry as the backdrop for approving 16 new laws aimed at easing global warming.

The Democratic governor on Thursday signed bills into law aimed at increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles and charging stations and reducing the number of heavily polluting cars and trucks.

The effort is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, which have risen even as emissions from other sources decline.

His signature comes on the heels of California’s new goal of phasing out electricity produced by fossil fuels by 2045. Brown signed the measures as he hosts a San Francisco summit of climate change leaders from around the world.

Brown is promoting California as a global leader in combating climate change.