Environment
Fact check: Is Sam Altman right that almonds use more water than ChatGPT queries?
Altman claims 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal one almond's water use.
Environment
Molly Peterson
Environment and Health Editor
Rachel Becker
Water Reporter
Alejandro Lazo
Climate Reporter
Alejandra Reyes-Velarde
California Divide / Environmental Justice Reporter
Politics
In standoff with Newsom, California Democrats claw back $450 million for climate projects
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new carbon market rules threatened climate funding for water, air and transit projects. A last-minute compromise between him and lawmakers provides some funding to narrow that gap.
Climate Change
California utilities to reclaim unused money from school air conditioning program
In a last-minute push, lawmakers tried to pass a proposal that would have extended CalSHAPE, a school air conditioning program.
Economy
Wildfire liability bill dies without a vote on final day of session
The measure, which was opposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state's public utilities, never came to a vote in the Assembly.
Politics
California to buy defunct horse track and turn it into the Bay Area’s newest public park
California lawmakers struck a deal to divert $125 million in climate funding to buy the former Golden Gate Fields track and turn it into a park. Gov. Gavin Newsom supports the project.
Environment
San Diego County approves first step toward billion dollar plan to stop Tijuana sewage pollution
Tijuana River pollution has caused asthma, stomach illness and other ailments for decades. Now officials are floating a billion dollar plan to clean it up.
Environment
California politicians promised white gold in ‘Lithium Valley’. But are those dreams fading?
This California desert region was touted as the ‘Saudi Arabia of lithium.’ Years later, projects are behind schedule and workers are waiting for jobs.
Environment
Newsom vetoed a data center water bill last year. Will he sign it this time?
Two bills requiring data centers to disclose water use head to Newsom’s desk.
Environment
A year after their promise, lawmakers again reform environmental planning. Now Newsom will weigh in
A bill now on the governor’s desk narrows last year's CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, adding community protections industry fought to soften.
Politics
California lawmakers strike wildfire deal that leaves out most of Newsom’s big demands
Gov. Gavin Newsom backed off his plans to ease costs for utilities following wildfires they cause, striking a narrower deal with Democratic lawmakers.