Environment

Cap-and-trade deal reached, heads to Gov. Brown for approval

Gov. Jerry Brown and legislators reached an agreement on Wednesday on what to do with around a billion dollars of cap-and-trade revenue. The deal was announced earlier in the day and was approved by dinner after a longstanding battle between legislative

Assembly OKs CARB accountability measure, climate agenda headed to governor

Matt Fleming August 24, 2016

Lawmakers on Wednesday sent a measure to Gov. Jerry Brown creating legislative oversight of the California Air Resources Board — a vital piece in the state’s climate agenda. Assembly Bill 197’s companion legislation, SB32, which expands CARB’s authority to create and

Climate policy expansion clears biggest legislative hurdle

Matt Fleming August 23, 2016

An extension and expansion of one of the state’s landmark environmental laws cleared the Assembly on Tuesday — all but guaranteeing the bill’s ultimate passage. Senate Bill 32 would require the Air Resources Board to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions in

Affordable housing deal appears dead for the year

Matt Fleming August 19, 2016

A deal to spur the construction of low-income housing statewide has apparently fallen apart, according to multiple media reports. Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, said talks have died for the year, largely because of Gov. Jerry Brown’s insistence to include provisions that would

Sacramento eyes electric vehicle boost

James Poulos August 18, 2016

With California’s cap-and-trade legislation on the ropes, zero-emissions vehicle quotas have emerged as the next piece of environmental policy up for debate in Sacramento. A new bill, soon to be introduced by Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, D-Los Angeles, would “require

Fresno water contamination has residents on edge

Chris Reed August 15, 2016

When it comes to tainted water supplies, is Fresno another Flint, Michigan? The evidence is worrisome enough that authorities in California’s fifth-largest city have brought in outside experts to take a close look while overhauling city water practices. Problems were

Another state agency flaunting California’s environmental laws

Matt Fleming August 15, 2016

The Department of Water Resources has been drilling for weeks in Yolo County without permits required by state law designed to protect against ground water contamination, under the belief its activities are exempt. Like other counties’ battles with Caltrans over the

Cap-and-trade carbon tax showdown looms

James Poulos August 12, 2016

Despite years of success in doing what it was supposed to do — cut emission levels — California’s controversial cap-and-trade system has run up against opposition that could be strong enough to sink it. But with nothing to lose

Survey: Californians support state’s environmental laws, could do more

Hannah Niemeier July 27, 2016

Californians think the state could do more and spend more to clean up the environment, according to a new poll. According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released Wednesday, a majority of Californians support government efforts to improve the

Legislature challenges legality of Brown’s greenhouse gas emissions order

Chris Reed April 25, 2016

When Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order a year ago this week establishing even more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, the action won broad applause from Democrats who support his aggressive agenda targeting climate change.