[Source: CalChamber] A number of California bills (SB 568, SB 705, SB 1335) have been introduced over the years targeting non-recyclable polystyrene single-use containers, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam. Proponents of these bills consistently argue non-recyclable, single-use Styrofoam containers pollute the environment and fill California landfills. It is surprising then, a bill introduced Read More…
Tag: california
Port of Long Beach launches zero-emissions project
[Source: PORT Technology] The project, funded mostly by the California Energy Commission with a $9.7 million grant, will introduce 25 vehicles that are zero- or near zero-emissions to Port of Long Beach marine terminals to test their performance in a real-world setting for a year. In 2017, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles Read More…
Trump administration moves on two fronts to challenge California environmental protections
[Source: Los Angeles Times] The Trump administration openly threatened one of the cornerstones of California’s environmental protections Monday, saying that it may revoke the state’s ability under the Clean Air Act to impose stricter standards than the federal government sets for vehicle emissions. The announcement came as the administration confirmed it is tearing up landmark Read More…
Paramount refinery sold as part of $72 million deal
[Source: Los Angeles Business Journal] A renewable diesel and jet fuel refinery in Paramount has been sold to Boston-based biofuel producer World Energy as part of a deal reportedly worth $72 million. The Paramount refinery was the core asset of renewable jet and diesel producer AltAir Paramount LLC, which also owned an adjacent tank farm. Read More…
California House races: the action for 2018
[Source: California Target Book/Tony Quinn, Editor] California’s filing deadline is now past and the contours of the 2018 election are slowly coming into view. The biggest action in California, even bigger than the governor’s race, may be the race for congressional seats, since California will almost certainly decide if Democrats can win back the House Read More…
Federal tax reform means more business taxes for California
[Source: Fox and Hounds Daily/Loren Kaye] California’s corporate tax base may increase by up to 12 percent as a result of federal tax reform legislation, according to a study recently released by the StateTax Research Center. This means that revenues from California’s corporate income tax could increase by as much as $1.3 billion – without any Read More…
Is Trump’s EPA chief bluffing? Or will he gut California’s tough emissions standards?
[Source: Sacramento Bee] California officials and clean air advocates are increasingly concerned the Trump administration may attempt to unravel a key program to drive down greenhouse gas emissions from automobile fleets while also jeopardizing the ability of California and other states to set pollution standards stronger than federal rules. Backed by automakers, Trump officials are Read More…
Many big cities don’t have enough money to pay their bill
[Source: The Press Enterprise] An analysis of the fiscal health of the 75 most populated cities in the country found that the vast majority don’t have enough money to pay for their bills, including many in California. A new report by transparency group Truth in Accounting found that 64 of the 75 cities owed more Read More…
Will 2018 bring more employment mandates on California’s business community?
[Source: Fox & Hounds] As the 2018 California Legislative Session commences on January 3, the business community must remain vigilant about those bills that could present new, burdensome changes in state labor and employment laws. The 2017 Session saw a large number of significant labor and employment laws get enacted that impose significant burdens upon Read More…