Air Pollution

A person stands next to a white electric vehicle while it charges at a public charging station. The car is backed into a spot marked "CHARGING ONLY," and the charging cable extends from the station to the car’s rear. The person wears a dark jacket, pants, and orange sneakers, and looks down toward the ground. Bright sunlight casts distinct shadows on the pavement.

Commentary

Congress debates two issues with big implications for California: EVs and taxes

Two of the most contentious issues awaiting votes in Congress would have particularly heavy impacts on California.

By

Dan Walters

• May 21, 2025

Two young baseball players wearing blue and white jerseys stand in their positions as they watch a batter get ready for a pitch during a game. Blue cranes from a nearby port can be seen in the distant background.

Environment

These communities are unaware they’ve lived near toxic gas for decades. Why has no action been taken?

Five facilities near schools and houses in LA County fumigate produce shipped from overseas with methyl bromide. But the air agency doesn’t plan to monitor the air or take any immediate steps to protect people from the gas, which can damage lungs and cause neurological effects.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• April 23, 2025

A busy shipping port with large, blue gantry cranes labeled 'YTI' towering over stacks of colorful shipping containers. The cranes are equipped with yellow lifting mechanisms used for moving cargo. The sky is clear blue with a few wispy clouds. Rows of containers in shades of red, pink, blue, and brown are stacked neatly along the port, some marked with shipping company names such as 'ONE' and 'CAI.'

Environment

‘Herculean effort’: These port communities have waited decades for clean air. Why a new plan may fall short

The ports of LA and Long Beach are the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin. Air quality officials have drafted new rules to help electrify the ports. But community groups representing 400,000 residents say they don't go far enough or fast enough to clean up their dirty air.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• March 20, 2025

Tesla vehicles charging at the Tesla Supercharger lot in Kettleman City on June 23, 2024. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

New decisions boost California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, but major hurdles remain

Recent decisions by the Supreme Court and the EPA appear to favor California's 2035 ban on gas-powered cars and trucks, but another important lawsuit, a Republican-dominated Congress and President Donald Trump are still there to challenge it.

By

Dan Walters

• December 19, 2024

Environment

Biden administration approves California electric car mandate. Will Trump try to revoke it?

The US EPA granted California’s waiver, which the incoming Trump administration is likely to try to overturn in the courts. The state's zero-emission vehicle mandates have been the driving force behind California's progress in cleaning up dangerous air pollutants.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• December 18, 2024

An electric vehicle charging station in Burlingame. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Environment

Supreme Court to weigh in on case involving California’s power to clean its air

The Supreme Court justices agreed to review whether oil companies have standing to try to overturn a federal waiver for a California clean-car rule that ramped up electric car sales. The standards are the cornerstone of California's efforts to clean its air and combat climate change.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• December 13, 2024

An electric school bus is charging at Grant Union High School in Sacramento on July 20, 2023. The chargers are bidirectional, which means they can feed power back to the electric grid. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Climate Change

California awarded $135 million for electric buses, trucks

The Biden administration is awarding Inflation Reduction Act money to help clean the air before President-elect Trump takes over.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• December 11, 2024

A person wearing a black backwards hat and shirt leans over the white fence as a blue and white commercial truck drives down a street on a sunny day.

Environment

Polluted communities hold their breath as companies struggle with California’s diesel truck ban

California has an aggressive mandate for zero-emission trucks, which are powered by electricity or hydrogen. But trucking companies face big obstacles — and people are still breathing dangerous diesel exhaust.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• December 10, 2024

The panel of the California Air Resources Board meeting on "Advanced Clean Cars II" proposal at the agency's headquarters in Sacramento on Aug. 25, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

California air board member: Why I can’t back the proposed fuel standard changes

Proposed amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program fall short of the goals of transparency, equity and responsible policymaking, says a member of the California Air Resources Board.

By Dean Florez • November 7, 2024

An electric motorcycle parked in front of a motorcycle dealership.

Environment

In nationwide first, California plans to rev up sales of electric motorcycles

Bikers — many of whom love their noisy combustion engines — say zero-emission motorcycles aren’t ready for long-distance rides. Motorcycles emit an “outsized portion” of smog-causing pollutants.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• October 28, 2024