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Environment

About

From water shortages to climate change to wildfires, we cover everything you need to know about environmental issues that confront California.

Meet the Team
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Molly Peterson
Environment and Health Editor
Rachel Becker
Water Reporter
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Alejandro Lazo
Climate Reporter
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Alejandra Reyes-Velarde
California Divide / Environmental Justice Reporter
Environment
Trump administration signals it won’t try to revoke California’s emissions waiver
It's looking like the Trump administration has decided to sidestep a pollution fight with California over the state's power to set more stringent vehicle emission standards than the federal government. EPA chief Scott Pruitt said late last week that the Trump administration was not reviewing the California waiver, and hailed the state's "leadership" on clean air.
By • June 20, 2017
Climate Change
Brown joins other governors to defy Trump on climate goals
Hours after President Donald Trump announced his intention Thursday to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, California Gov. Jerry Brown announced a new climate pact, this one with a group of other elected officials vowing to uphold the goals of the international agreement.
By • June 2, 2017
Consumer advocates say people should know what’s in everyday products; industry lobbyists say too much information on labels can create fear and harm sales.
Environment
In California battles over product labels, industry usually wins
(Update: On Oct. 15, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law SB 258. Manufacturers will now be required to list chemical ingredients on cleaning-product labels.) Nail polish and hair dye. Cleaning products. Plants and flowers for the garden. California lawmakers have been considering new labels for them, triggering an annual conflict in the state Capitol over […]
By • May 31, 2017
A view of the east side of Los Angeles, The Burlington Northern Hobart Yard — the largest intermodal freight yard in the U.S., located in City of Commerce, on the East side of Los Angeles. Photo by Doc Searls via Flickr
Environment
California Capitol focuses on environmental injustice—but will it lead to real results?
A new generation of legislators and the growing clout of eco-advocates from urban communities is changing the focus of environmental debates in California. Once sidelined as a fringe voice of activism, the “environmental justice” perspective—focused on how environmental decisions impact poor communities and people of color—is now at the center of high-profile deliberations.
By • May 17, 2017
Environment
California sues Trump administration to stop it from delaying oil royalties
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas in filing a lawsuit this week against the U.S. Department of the Interior for delaying the implementation of a rule intended to ensure that the taxpayers —and states— receive appropriate royalties from mining and energy companies leasing federal lands.
By • April 27, 2017
Air pollution smoke rising from plant tower. From Wikimedia Commons.
Environment
Will Democrats get another supermajority vote that could raise gas prices?
The California Democratic party's 'supermajority' was mightily tested with the nail-biting passage of a $52 billion transportation package, that will add 12 cents to the price of gasoline. What does that bode for another supermajority vote that could raise gas prices: the reauthorization of the the state's landmark climate change legislation, cap-and-trade?
By • April 7, 2017

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News and analysis on environment, climate change, wildfires and water issues in California.
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