Environment

Marchers walk to the California Capitol last spring to protest the high cost of rental housing in the state. Photo by Steve Yeater/AP Images

Environment

In California, a blue wave and progressive governor: So why are so many leftist plans going under?

As the Capitol passes the halfway point for making new laws this year, the progressive policies that are advancing amount to less of a torrent than a trickle.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

and

Ben Christopher

• June 13, 2019

Climate Change

‘Clean’ freight traffic is elusive as California rolls toward zero emissions

For carbon-free transportation, California must cover a lot more ground soon. But by some estimates, electric truck fleets could still be a decade away.

By

Julie Cart

• June 9, 2019

Washington rejected the auto industry's plea to meet California halfway on emissions standards. Photo by Thinkstock

Climate Change

Trump administration says no new talks with California on car rules

Automakers backed Obama-era rules on car emissions and gas mileage, then asked President Trump to change them. Now the companies fear a long Washington-California court fight.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 7, 2019

Shell oil refinery in Martinez, California; the state could have a new cap-and-trade partner if Oregon's new carbon trading bill passes.

Climate Change

No longer the loneliest? Why Oregon’s all-in climate push matters to California

After efforts to unite the West under a carbon-trading program stalled for nearly a decade, Oregon will decide this month whether it wants to follow in California’s footsteps. This bill would make Oregon the second state after California to rely on the market for emissions reductions throughout the entire economy. Supporters say that expanding the cap-and-trade market to Oregon could increase competition, lower compliance costs, and speed decarbonization of the West. But others worry a failure in Oregon could hurt carbon trading's chances in other states.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 6, 2019

An aerial shot of a busy Los Angeles freeway interchange.

Climate Change

Commutes, jobs at stake in California’s clean air battle with Trump

California transportation officials warn the fight over passenger vehicle standards might affect air quality, construction jobs, the economy — and ensure Californians stay stuck in traffic.

By

Rachel Becker

• May 31, 2019

Cars stuck in traffic in San Francisco, California

Environment

Why California’s air board won’t ban gas-powered cars yet

Mary Nichols, the powerful head of the California Air Resources Board, didn’t even need to explicitly threaten a ban on gas-powered cars last week to get the attention of carmakers. The warning was only in her prepared statements for a workshop with the state Transportation Commission. But the remarks, obtained by Bloomberg, hit headlines and […]

By

Rachel Becker

• May 24, 2019

Politics

Death Watch: The bill killer is in the house

Updated May 30, 2019 Welcome to death watch. The legislative kind. We’ve tracked which bills California lawmakers have rejected as the Legislature hit the half-way point for making new laws for this year. May 31 is the deadline for bills to pass the house in which they were introduced, a critical hurdle in the legislative […]

By

CalMatters Staff

• May 23, 2019

Electric cars are key to California's green future. Photo by davidf, istockphoto.com

Climate Change

Despite sharp growth in electric cars, vehicle emissions keep rising

Unless the emissions trend is reversed, the state could stall on its route to clean air.

By

Julie Cart

• May 16, 2019

Climate Change

Despite sharp growth in electric cars, vehicle emissions keep rising

Unless the emissions trend is reversed, the state could stall on its route to clean air.

By

Julie Cart

• May 16, 2019

Aerial view of a misty morning over the Napa Valley, where vineyards are claiming oak-studded wildlands.

Economy

Weakling or bully? The battle over CEQA, the state’s iconic environmental law

Inside the Capitol’s corridors and pro-development quarters around the state, the California Environmental Quality Act is increasingly disparaged as a villain in the state’s housing crisis. But the act’s environmentalist defenders are pushing back, saying many projects slip too easily through—leading to overdrawn groundwater tables and disappearing forests. And whatever the urgency to build more housing, environmentalists say there’s nothing to preempt a rigorous review of commercial proposals—even ones as visually appealing as vineyards in the Napa Valley.

By

Alastair Bland

• May 13, 2019