Environment

AG Harris drawing fire over alleged San Onofre conflict of interest

Attorney General Kamala Harris threatens to be drawn into the controversy over the California Public Utilities Commission’s divvying up of the cost of closing the San Onofre nuclear power plant on San Diego County’s north coast. Activists are furious with

New reports shine light on opaque carbon tax program

Matt Fleming April 8, 2016

As fast as California drivers will spend an extra $2 billion at the pump this year to fund the controversial cap-and-trade program, state lawmakers are finding ways to use it, according to two reports released Thursday. Cap and trade was implemented by a state regulatory

CalWatchdog Morning Read — April 7, 2016

CalWatchdog Staff April 7, 2016

Good morning! We just got back from Klamath, where Gov. Jerry Brown signed an agreement to remove four dams along the Klamath River. Brown said the removal was about “correcting mistakes,” a nod to the indigenous people who inhabit the

Brown: Klamath dam removal deal about “correcting mistakes”

Matt Fleming April 7, 2016

KLAMATH – California, Oregon, the federal government and local interests have finally agreed to remove four dams along the Klamath River, Gov. Jerry Brown and other officials announced on Wednesday. The dams have been around for a little less than

24 years of Caltrans well-drilling ignored laws; risked groundwater contamination

Matt Fleming March 28, 2016

Sacramento County is threatening to fine Caltrans millions in taxpayer dollars for drilling hundreds of wells over a period of decades in violation of laws aimed at protecting groundwater, records show. The county set the possible fine at as much as

Backlash to GOP’s AQMD takeover accelerates

Chris Reed March 11, 2016

Democratic politicians and environmental groups are scrambling to reverse decisions made by the South Coast Air Quality Management District board, which is now controlled by Republicans for the first time in memory. The agency oversees air pollution control reduction efforts for Orange

Another year of CA water restrictions likely

Chris Reed February 24, 2016

After a sunny February, the hopes that El Nino storms would go a long way toward restoring California’s water supplies and relieving the damage done by years of drought are now fading. Instead, the new assumption is that in April,

Ballot initiative pits water against high-speed rail

Matt Fleming February 23, 2016

What’s more important: High-speed rail or water? Proponents of a proposed ballot measure would force voters to choose just that. The measure would redirect $8 billion in unsold high-speed rail bonds and $2.7 billion from the 2014 water bond to fund new

Obama designates three national monuments in CA desert

James Poulos February 22, 2016

With an eye toward cementing one unquestioned — but not unchallenged — aspect of his legacy, president Obama designated three California desert locations as national monuments, adding to a substantial tally of sites poised to grow further before his term

Green targeting of dissident CA Dem off to bad start

Chris Reed February 5, 2016

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, a moderate African-American Democrat from San Bernardino seeking her third term, has brushed back the first challenge to her re-election by Eloise Reyes, a Colton attorney strongly backed by environmental groups. Brown easily won her local party