Climate Change

A group of uniformed soldiers walks down a wide street toward thick plumes of dark smoke rising from burning buildings, with storefronts and signs visible along the roadside.

Commentary

California’s insurer of last resort was meant to cover ‘riot-prone areas,’ not climate disasters

By continuing to lean on insurance-based solutions to deep-seated societal problems, California has put itself on a path toward repeating the mistakes of the past.

By Bench Ansfield • October 2, 2025

A person with gray hair wearing a dark jacket and white shirt looks slightly past the camera with their mouth slightly open, set against a blurred background.

Environment

Newsom signs climate overhaul, extending cap and trade while boosting oil drilling

A set of laws Gov. Gavin Newsom signed today extends California clean-energy programs while taking steps to shore up oil and gas production. It also opens the door to a Western energy grid.

By

Jeanne Kuang

and

Cayla Mihalovich

• September 19, 2025

The California Air Resources Board meets at the California Environmental Protection Agency building in Sacramento on June 23, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Climate Change

Newsom taps climate ‘architect’ to lead California air board as Trump fights heat up

At the state’s top air regulator, Lauren Sanchez will replace Liane Randolph, taking the helm as California battles Trump, rising costs, and the future of its climate agenda.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• September 19, 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 man drinks water during a heat wave in Los Angeles on July 13, 2023. Photo by Damian Dovarganes via AP

Commentary

Extreme heat in homes sickens and kills. California lawmakers can fight it

As climate change makes for more 100-degree days, California legislators are considering a bill to set a maximum indoor temperature standard for homes.

By Pedro Zacarias • September 9, 2025

A prison corridor with beige concrete walls and rows of closed cell doors. A correctional officer in a green uniform speaks with a person in a blue shirt walking into a doorway. Wheelchairs line the hallway floor, and fluorescent lights illuminate the space.

Politics

Complaints about California’s hellishly hot prison cells have been mounting for years

After years of complaints from inmates and advocates about hot temperatures inside prison cells, California is finally embarking on a plan to cool some cells. But it’s only a test, and it will only help a fraction of inmates.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• September 4, 2025

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

Commentary

Renewal of California cap and trade program to cut emissions is fraught with issues

There are several issues to resolve in the remaining weeks of California's legislative session. Many are fraught with political conflict, but the cap and trade program is particularly complex.

By

Dan Walters

• August 22, 2025

A side view of three commercial trucks parked next to each other in a lot. Two of the trucks are white and one is black. The trucks are decorated with a blue liquid graphic and include the words "zero emissions" and "hydrogen fleet" on them.

Climate Change

California has a fallback plan for Trump’s clean car attacks. Does it go far enough?

Amid a legal fight over California’s power to regulate car and truck pollution, state agencies are suggesting policies that need stable funding, legislative action, or lengthy rulemaking.

By

Alejandro Lazo

and

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• August 20, 2025

A gas price sign at a 76 gas station displays fuel prices for cash and credit/debit payments. Regular gasoline is $4.89 (cash) and $4.95 (credit), Plus is $4.99 and $5.05, Premium is $5.09 and $5.15, and Renewable Diesel #2 is $4.75 and $4.91. The sign is set against a background of a beige building, palm plant, and part of a tan pickup truck.

Climate Change

Controversial climate rule, which could raise gas prices, about to go into effect

No immediate hike in California gas prices will occur but Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature fear the effects of the clean-fuel program.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• June 30, 2025

A construction site for a segment of the high speed rail in Fresno on Oct. 20, 2023. Construction has started a 171-mile starter segment connecting Central Valley’s Bakersfield and Merced. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Climate Change

Should California’s climate budget pay for high speed rail and firefighters? Newsom’s new plan triggers fiery debate

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to extend California's landmark cap and trade program through 2045. But earmarking half of this year's funds to the beleaguered rail project and Cal Fire would leave too little for other climate projects, critics say.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• May 19, 2025