Air Pollution

WhatMatters

Gavin Newsom’s slow start on housing, cannabis’ carbon footprint, and San Francisco tries to impart its values on Nevada

Newsom's plans for housing construction off to slow start. Air Resources chief points out math error by feds. S.F. blacklists Nevada over abortion.

By Dan Morain • October 21, 2019

Environment

Nasty letters. Funding threats. Here’s why California’s clean air fight with the feds matters

California's latest clean air fight with Trump's EPA is about more than backlogged paperwork - but likely won't hurt federal transportation funding anytime soon.

By Rachel Becker • October 21, 2019

WhatMatters

Trump to revoke clean air rule, UC’s bold move, EV rebates, Trump’s welcome, and sexual harassment

Battle lines drawn between California, Trump over clean air. University of California divests from fossil fuels. Baby Trump balloon greets POTUS.

By Dan Morain • September 18, 2019

WhatMatters

Legislature’s final week, rent control, for-profit colleges, Newsom channels Reagan, and alligators

Rent cap deal is far from done. Before Newsom, Reagan battled feds over automobile emissions rules. PG&E searches for a Plan B.

By Dan Morain • September 9, 2019

WhatMatters

Super-surge pricing, 2020 politics, Newsom’s second thoughts, and a public servant calls it a career

Gig companies threaten to take worker fight to voters. Democratic lawmakers eye 2020 ballot measures. Newsom rethinks air district board appointment.

By Dan Morain • August 30, 2019

Capitol

Why fighting for clean water with climate change money worries some California lawmakers

Combat climate change, or clean up the water? Legislators chose to dip into a greenhouse gas fund to fight California’s drinking water problem. The move alarmed environmentalists and legislators on both sides of the aisle — but it could soon become the norm.

By Rachel Becker • June 17, 2019

Newsletters

Gas-powered engines, Democrats’ turmoil, and clean water

r Resources Board chair delivers message to auto industry. Proposed clean water tax hits snag. California Democrats prepare to elect new chair.

By Dan Morain • May 28, 2019

Commentary

When oil industry supports legislators, air quality suffers

One would expect to see growing devotion by the Democratic-led California Legislature to do more to help Californians access electric cars and cut pollution from delivery trucks. Instead, the California Assembly, specifically its transportation committee, has been the graveyard for legislation designed to help advance zero-emission vehicles.

By Guest Commentary • April 22, 2019

Health

What keeps families in one of the most polluted places in California?

California's Imperial County is emblematic of life for millions of people around the state who live under an umbrella of bad air quality or who have contaminated soil or lack access to clean water.  The majority of these environmental hot spots are concentrated in low-income communities of color.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • January 23, 2019

Health

As California areas record ‘worst air’ on earth, state needs to protect public after wildfires

Spots in California are registering, by one measurement, the most polluted air on earth. If this is the “new abnormal” of wildfires, health advocates say the state will need to step up efforts to educate and protect the public.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • November 15, 2018