[Source: CalChamber] In a narrowly drafted ruling, the California Supreme Court upheld a regional government body’s discretion regarding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis it included in the environmental impact report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for its regional transportation plan. While the court emphasized that its decision was “not a general Read More…
Month: July 2017
AQMD seeks order to cut emissions at Long Beach metals plant
[Source: Los Angeles Business Journal] Local air quality regulators on Wednesday announced they are seeking an order to reduce emissions of a toxic chemical at Lubeco Inc., a Long Beach metal-finishing plant. The South Coast Air Quality Management District filed a petition with an independent hearing board Friday seeking the order to require Lubeco to Read More…
Good intentions: why environmental awareness doesn’t lead to green behavior
[Source: Earl J. Ritchie/UH Energy] Polls consistently show a high level of environmental awareness in the U.S. However, awareness frequently does not translate into action. Use of mass transit has shown almost no per capita growth despite substantial investment in light rail and other transit improvements. Carpooling has declined. The use of environmentally friendly technologies Read More…
CARB approves cap-and-trade improvements
[Source: California Air Resources Board] Following more than 18 months of review and public comment, the California Air Resources Board today approved amendments to the state’s cap-and-trade program that improve its implementation and the state’s effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Today’s amendments also establish a framework for the program’s annual limits on greenhouse gas Read More…
Questions remain as Gov. Brown signs legislation to address neighborhood-level air pollution
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at improving air quality in disadvantaged communities, a key step in shifting the debate over how the state fights climate change and an issue that has tested the influence of environmental justice advocates The law imposes new requirements to monitor and reduce pollution Read More…
House passes bill delaying Obama-era EPA ozone rules
[Source: Law360] The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a measure to delay new U. S. Environmental Protection Agency rules on baseline ozone standards, as President Donald Trump’s administration looks to give states the flexibility to set their own rules. The Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017, passed on a largely party line 229-199 vote, Read More…
Brown, lawmakers celebrate bipartisan cap-and-trade victory
[Source: Sacramento Bee] The three-bill package now heads to Brown’s desk. Brown has sought to offer the state’s cap-and-trade program as a model that can be reproduced in other states and even nations to reduce carbon emissions and combat rising temperatures. “We’re only 1 percent of the problem, but we’re a lot more a part Read More…
Legislature approves cap-and-trade extension
[Source: CalChamber] With strong support from the California Chamber of Commerce and the business community, the Legislature yesterday approved AB 398 (E. Garcia; D-Coachella), which will extend the cap-and-trade program, which provides the least costly path to achieving the state’s ambitious climate goals. “The Legislature achieved a bipartisan solution that will reduce the cost of Read More…
Gov. Brown and Democratic leaders offer plan to extend cap and trade, with aim for approval this week
[Source: Los Angeles Times] After weeks of back-and-forth between environmentalists and business interests, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders introduced a proposal Monday evening to reauthorize California’s cap-and-trade program, the centerpiece of the state’s efforts to battle climate change. The plan consists of two bills: Assembly Bill 398, which would extend the life of the Read More…