Air Pollution

Commentary

Carbon capture projects pay billions to polluters but aren’t worth much to Californians

California should protect families and save billions in public funds instead of allowing oil and gas corporations to squander the money on carbon capture projects.

By Dolores Huerta and Nayamin Martinez • October 7, 2024

Environment

Newsom and state court judge throw wet blanket on Inland Empire warehouse boom

A judge tosses San Bernardino County's approval of a warehouse complex and Gov. Gavin Newsom reins in warehouse development with a new law.

By

Deborah Brennan

• October 2, 2024

Commentary

Warehouse regulation bill attracts strange bedfellows in support and opposition

Culminating years of debate over the environmental impacts of Southern California's massive array of warehouses, the Legislature has passed a bill regulating future construction.

By

Dan Walters

• September 6, 2024

A large warehouse sits in front of snow capped mountains in a residential neighborhood. A low perspective shows a line of cars parked a long the street.

Economy

Job killer or neighborhood protector? Newsom signs warehouse rules that divided Inland Empire

Gov. Newsom signed last-minute legislation to limit where distribution centers can go. Supporters say it would shield neighborhoods from traffic and deliver cleaner air. But business groups warn the bill could threaten jobs in a booming industry.

By

Deborah Brennan

• September 4, 2024

Dust particles fill the air with low sunlight filling the sky. A desert landscape with mountains in the background.

Environment

Danger in the dust: Coachella Valley residents struggle to breathe

A hazardous haze, made up of small, inhalable particles, casts a pall over the desert. This year has been severe, triggering asthma attacks — so what is being done to clean it up?

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• August 1, 2024

Commentary

Southern California’s huge logistics industry faces a backlash over wages and pollution

In recent decades, the logistics industry has flourished in Southern California, but there's a backlash over the industry's low wages and the pollution it creates.

By

Dan Walters

• March 7, 2024

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

Environment

California’s polluted communities could miss out on billions under state’s flawed system

The state’s environmental tool skews which communities are designated as disadvantaged, researchers say. Some immigrant neighborhoods could be left out, while other groups are overrepresented.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• February 23, 2024

Environment

California’s pursuit of clean air just got much harder: New soot standards set

The federal standard will likely throw new California counties out of compliance — and put even more pressure on the LA basin and San Joaquin Valley to clean the air.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• February 7, 2024

A semi-truck stuck on a flooded road just east of Highway 43 on March 20, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Environment

Newsom unveils plan to cut California climate funding

Facing big deficits, the governor has proposed taking a bigger chunk out of climate programs in his new budget — about 7% — and spreading the funds over seven years. Climate groups said cutting back on state spending now would cost the state more later.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• January 10, 2024

Environment

Engine-maker Cummins will pay record air pollution fine to feds and California

Federal and California officials say the company illegally installed devices on about one million pickup trucks. Cummins will pay $2 billion in civil fines and funds for pollution control projects.

By

CalMatters Staff

• January 10, 2024