(Image Credit: IMAGN) Stanislaus County, CA, USA; California Governor Gavin Newsom (C), and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) meet with NorCal Carpenters Union workers along the construction of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the future site of Proxima Solar Farm in Stanislaus County, California, USA, 19 May 2023. The Governor unveiled legislation to speed up construction for a streamlined process and to expedite court review on legal challenges that often tie up projects. The project is expected to create 300 construction jobs and generate $35 million in local revenue. The project is expected to be operational by December, could power 60,000 homes in the surrounding region and can generate up to 210 megawatts of clean, renewable energy and 177 megawatts of better energy storage. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Sacramento, California – As temperatures across California soar to sweltering heights this weekend, state officials are rolling out new tools and funding to help communities deal with the deadly impacts of extreme heat—now the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the state.
Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday unveiled CalHeatScore, a new ZIP-code-level ranking system designed to forecast and communicate the severity of upcoming heat waves. The tool, which includes tailored safety tips and maps for nearby cooling centers, is designed to help residents—especially vulnerable groups such as older people, children, and low-income households—better prepare for high-risk heat events.
The launch comes as California anticipates one of its hottest summers yet, with last year marking the state’s warmest in over a century. In just one recent decade, seven major heat waves were responsible for nearly 460 deaths and over 5,000 hospitalizations statewide, according to state data.
“Extreme heat kills,” Newsom said. “And with the federal government cutting vital weather forecasting programs, California is stepping up to protect our residents.”
The state’s action stands in contrast to recent decisions by the Trump-aligned federal administration to scale back funding for weather and climate monitoring—cuts state officials warn could endanger lives.
The California Environmental Protection Agency developed the CalHeatScore; it’s the first statewide tool of its kind in the U.S. It’s part of a larger climate resilience push that includes $32.4 million in new grants to 47 communities through the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program. The funding will support long-term heat mitigation strategies, such as solar-powered air conditioning in rural homes, tree canopy projects in urban neighborhoods, and increased public access to water.
These solutions integrate physical infrastructure with nature-based interventions and are part of California’s broader Extreme Heat Action Plan, a multi-agency roadmap for addressing rising temperatures.
Heat-related health effects are wide-ranging, from respiratory issues and lower birth weights to an uptick in emergency room visits for mental health conditions. Economically, extreme heat costs California an estimated $7.7 billion annually, affecting everything from agricultural output to power grid stability.
And it’s not just the heat— experts drought conditions to reduce the state’s water supply by 10%, prompting Newsom to push forward the long-delayed Delta Conveyance Project, which would modernize California’s aging water infrastructure.
“Without fast action, our ability to deliver water where it’s needed will erode,” Newsom said, urging lawmakers to move quickly.
The message from state officials is clear: climate change is no longer a future threat; it is a present reality. It’s here, it’s dangerous, and it’s already reshaping how Californians live.
