Environment

An offshore oil platform stands in the ocean near Santa Barbara as waves roll in the foreground and coastal mountains rise in the background during sunset light.

Environment

Citing Iran crisis, Trump orders Santa Barbara oil pipeline restart. California will fight it

The Trump administration ordered the restart of a Santa Barbara oil pipeline shut since the 2015 Refugio spill, invoking emergency powers under the Defense Production Act.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• March 13, 2026

A Shell gas station price sign displays the cost of regular, plus, V-Power gasoline, and renewable diesel. A car is parked near the pumps beneath the station canopy in the background.

Environment

California passed a law to curb spikes in gas prices. Why isn’t it using those powers now?

California built a first-in-the-nation system to police refinery profits during price spikes. Regulators delayed it for five years.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• March 13, 2026

An aerial view of water flowing through a river surrounded by trees and other green vegetation.

Environment

How to fix the contamination in the Tijuana River? A new report lays out the multi-step solution

The Tijuana River in San Diego has sickened surfers, swimmers and Navy SEALS for decades. A new report explores ways to clean it up.

By

Deborah Brennan

• March 11, 2026

Solar panels sit on the roof of a residential building overlooking San Francisco. The city skyline, including tall downtown buildings, stretches across the background under a hazy sky.

Economy

Solar panel reimbursements to remain low under California appeals court ruling

A California appeals court upheld a 2022 regulatory decision to reduce rooftop solar payments. Environmental groups may appeal to the state Supreme Court.

By

Malena Carollo

• March 10, 2026

A view of a downhill skier as they make their way down a slope towards a resort covered with snow. The background is a mountain range spread across the horizon.

Environment

Is California’s ski season deadlier than usual? Here’s why we don’t know

A deadly ski season in California raises urgent questions. Why doesn’t the state track resort injuries or deaths, and who’s protecting people on the slopes?

By

Rachel Becker

• March 6, 2026

An aerial view shows a large data center complex surrounded by warehouses and industrial buildings in a dense urban area. The main structure has a white facade with vertical window slits and a flat roof filled with cooling units, pipes, and mechanical equipment, while streets, parked cars, and power lines run along the perimeter. A hazy cityscape stretches into the distance beyond the industrial zone.

Environment

Who pays for AI’s power? California watchdog urges new data center rules

The Little Hoover Commission warns AI data centers could spike electricity bills, urging lawmakers to make tech companies — not households — pay for grid upgrades.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• March 5, 2026

The reflection of people as they stand and mingle during a town hall. A photo of a sign that reads, "No Offshore Oil" is projected onto a screen.

Environment

Santa Barbara judge rules against company that turned to Trump for help restarting pipeline

A Santa Barbara judge tentatively ruled that the Trump administration's intervention wasn't enough to let Sable Offshore restart a pipeline shut after a 2015 oil spill.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• February 26, 2026

High school students walk through a school campus.

Climate Change

What California’s planned power outages are costing schools: darkness, disruption and debt

California schools faced repeated planned power outages in 2024-2025 as Edison cut electricity to prevent wildfires, forcing closures and costly backup power solutions.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• February 25, 2026

A gray heat pump mounted on red brick wall.

Environment

California wants millions of heat pumps. High power bills might get in the way

California wants to slash greenhouse gases by electrifying homes and installing six million heat pumps by 2030. Lawmakers are pushing new policies to speed adoption. But some of the nation’s highest electricity rates stand in the way.

By

Ben Christopher

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Alejandro Lazo

• February 23, 2026

Close-up of two mountain lion cubs close to each other as they look towards the frame inside of a small cave.

Environment

California mountain lions are now considered ‘threatened.’ But only in certain regions

State fish and game officials declared mountain lions in the Central Coast and Southern California threatened under the state’s endangered species act.

By

Rachel Becker

• February 12, 2026