Environment

California's Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. USFWS photo by Steve Martarano via Flickr

Environment

Demise of key environment bill could escalate California’s water wars

Some groups will likely paint the governor — who sees himself as an environmental warrior — as a politician who, when it mattered, sided with big business and Donald Trump.

By

Julie Cart

• September 18, 2019

President Trump. Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Environment

Can Trump really yank California’s power to police tailpipe pollution? ‘See you in court’

Washington's move raises the specter of worsening air quality, jeopardizing public health and hindering California’s ability to battle climate change.

By

Rachel Becker

and

Julie Cart

• September 18, 2019

california climate change trump fossil fuels greenhous gas

Higher Education

Citing ‘financial risk,’ UC pledges to divest from fossil fuels

The decision caps a multi-year campaign by students and faculty who argued the university had a responsibility to address climate change.

By

Felicia Mello

• September 17, 2019

Environment

Beyond lawsuits, CA may weaponize electric car rebates in its emissions battle against Trump

With California enmeshed in a bare-knuckled battle over clean air with the Trump administration, carmakers could soon face a choice: Sign onto the state's pact to cut air pollution or forfeit the right to offer customers the state's EV rebate.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

and

Rachel Becker

• September 17, 2019

California Wildfires

What wildfire did to one California town’s schools in four years

Since 2002, nearly two-thirds of the days lost to school closures have been for wildfire and wildfire-related issues. Of those fire closures, half have occurred in the past four school years.

By

Ricardo Cano

• September 16, 2019

Environment

Newsom breaks with Democrats on environmental ‘Trump insurance’ bill

Gov. Newsom breaks with Democrats in the Legislature who passed a major environmental bill aimed at President Trump.

By

Dan Morain

• September 14, 2019

Workers at GreenWaste Recovery sort plastic waste.

Environment

California lawmakers stall on landmark legislation to curb plastic trash

Twin bills called for a 75% drop in waste from disposable packaging and foodware such as forks, stirrers and cups.

By

Rachel Becker

• September 14, 2019

An oil derrick in Bakersfield, Kern County.

Capitol

Last-minute switch would serve one oil refinery — and environmentalists are crying foul

The lawmaker behind the swap says he's trying to level the playing field between big and small operators. Opponents say he's doing a political favor.

By

Ben Christopher

• September 12, 2019

The State Capitol in Sacramento, California, September 10, 2015. California Bills.

Explainers

Remakes and fresh takes: See whether Gov. Newsom OK’d or vetoed key bills of 2019

In the last days of California's 2019 legislative session, hundreds of bills landed on the governor's desk. We're tracking the most consequential.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 11, 2019

Environment

On bill to blunt Trump’s environment aims, it’s farms or endangered species — and Newsom must choose

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has been part of negotiations over air, water and endangered-species protections. The governor decries Trump's environmental rollbacks but also seeks harmony with farmers opposing the bill.

By

Julie Cart

• September 11, 2019