Air Pollution

A group of people stand while holding signs during a protest outside of a yellow building. A sign that reads "Rohnert Park City Hall" hangs in front of the building.

Environment

A Bay Area startup sold a plastic recycling dream. Neighbors call it just another incinerator

The Sonoma County company Resynergi says it will depart the state, just as Gov. Newsom sends CalRecycle back to the drawing board on potentially nation-leading rules governing plastic waste and plastic products.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• October 7, 2025

A small airplane flying over the skyline of Los Angeles during a warm-looking sunset, depicting oranges and yellows on a smoggy-looking day.

Environment

Lawmakers send Newsom a high-stakes energy overhaul tied to wildfires, utilities and oil

California lawmakers passed a six-bill climate and energy package extending cap and trade to 2045, expanding the state's wildfire fund, approving new oil drilling, and opening the door to a regional power market.

By

Alejandro Lazo

and

Jeanne Kuang

• September 13, 2025

A construction worker in an orange hoodie and reflective vest bends forward while digging with a shovel at a dirt worksite, wearing a hard hat with stickers. Another worker is visible in the background near equipment and green construction materials.

Politics

In last-minute scramble, California lawmakers fail to deliver promised environmental reform

Despite a last-minute scramble, California Senate leaders failed to fix an environmental law rollback for advanced manufacturing, leaving pollution concerns untouched as session ends.

By

Yue Stella Yu

and

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• September 12, 2025

The Chevron refinery in Richmond is located behind a neighborhood on Feb. 21, 2024. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Politics

Newsom strikes climate deal extending California cap and trade, boosting oil production

After weeks of tense and messy negotiations, California’s legislative leaders finally released several proposals that range from expanding domestic crude oil production to lowering electricity rates. But the biggest barrier was the reauthorization of the state’s cap and trade program.

By

Maya C. Miller

,

Alejandro Lazo

and

Jeanne Kuang

• September 10, 2025

The silhouette of a person as they walk through a hallway during a legislative hearing at a building near the state Capitol.

Politics

Will California extend cap and trade? Legislative negotiations go down to the wire

California lawmakers are rushing to extend the state’s landmark cap-and-trade climate program through 2045 amid opposition from unions and industry.

By

Maya C. Miller

• September 8, 2025

A parade of classic cars drives down a city street lined with spectators. Leading the line is a polished silver 1940s Pontiac with a “17” sign on the windshield and a California license plate. Behind it, a silver Chevrolet Impala and a green lifted pickup follow, along with a motorcycle rider to the right. Palm trees, utility poles, and auto shop signs line the background.

Politics

Classic cars will still need a smog test in California after lawmakers reject Jay Leno bill

California’s Assembly Appropriations Committee killed “Leno’s Law” that aimed to give classic car owners like him a pass from smog requirements.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• August 29, 2025

Water spouts out of a chrome water fountain and flows into the attached drain, continuing down. In the background is a view of a public playground on a sunny day, out of focus.

Environment

To fight cancer-causing ‘Erin Brockovich’ toxin, California may give water districts legal cover

Water bills are climbing as utilities clean up a chemical made infamous in “Erin Brockovich.” Should lawmakers give them cover from lawsuits while work continues?

By

Ryan Sabalow

and

Brianna Vaccari, The Merced FOCUS

• July 22, 2025

Environment

Reined in by cost and a hostile president, California ponders next move to clean its air pollution

With 7 of its most ambitious rules for cars, trucks and trains repealed, California officials now must find new ways to clean up the nation’s worst air pollution. But officials face growing pushback about affordability and costs.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• July 7, 2025

An aerial view of a yellow construction truck as it drives through piles of trash on a plot of dirt in a landfill.

Commentary

California air quality regulators are doing the bare minimum to curb landfill pollution

California regulators haven't updated landfill pollution standards since 2010, and appear to be only doing the minimum in the latest effort to revisit them, argues an L.A. County activist impacted by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

By Yasmina Valdivia • July 7, 2025

Sunset behind electrical lines outside of Bay Point along Highway 4 on Sept. 15, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California’s war on carbon emissions faces setbacks in court and Congress

New laws, a future Supreme Court decision and consumer hesitance are some of the obstacles California must overcome if it's going to see a carbon neutral future.

By

Dan Walters

• June 25, 2025