Climate Change

Commentary

Stop raiding California’s cap-and-trade funding

Fabian Núñez: Important progress may be threatened by diversions of cap-and-trade funds for investments that are barely related to the original intent of AB 32. The last thing our state and the planet can afford is for cap-and-trade funds to be turned into a slush fund for pet projects that do little or nothing to improve our environment.

By Guest Commentary • June 26, 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

Climate Change

Trump administration says no new talks with California on car rules

Automakers backed Obama-era rules on car emissions and gas mileage, then asked President Trump to change them. Now the companies fear a long Washington-California court fight.

By Rachel Becker • June 7, 2019

Climate Change

No longer the loneliest? Why Oregon’s all-in climate push matters to California

After efforts to unite the West under a carbon-trading program stalled for nearly a decade, Oregon will decide this month whether it wants to follow in California’s footsteps. This bill would make Oregon the second state after California to rely on the market for emissions reductions throughout the entire economy. Supporters say that expanding the cap-and-trade market to Oregon could increase competition, lower compliance costs, and speed decarbonization of the West. But others worry a failure in Oregon could hurt carbon trading's chances in other states.

By Rachel Becker • June 6, 2019

Climate Change

Commutes, jobs at stake in California’s clean air battle with Trump

California transportation officials warn the fight over passenger vehicle standards might affect air quality, construction jobs, the economy — and ensure Californians stay stuck in traffic.

By Rachel Becker • May 31, 2019

Environment

Why California’s air board won’t ban gas-powered cars yet

Mary Nichols, the powerful head of the California Air Resources Board, didn’t even need to explicitly threaten a ban on gas-powered cars last week to get the attention of carmakers. The warning was only in her prepared statements for a workshop with the state Transportation Commission. But the remarks, obtained by Bloomberg, hit headlines and […]

By Rachel Becker • May 24, 2019

Commentary

How better wastewater management can help California adapt to climate change

Climate change is worsening water scarcity and flood risks. Advancements in engineering and technology can help prepare wastewater agencies for a changing climate. But significant shifts in policy and planning are needed to address these challenges.

By Guest Commentary • May 9, 2019

Environment

Activists want California to ban fracking. What does Gov. Newsom want?

Dozens of California counties and cities ban fracking, even where there is no oil drilling. About 20% of California oil comes from fracked wells.

By Julie Cart • April 11, 2019

Commentary

Gathering storm: What California must learn from the Midwest floods

Sacramento is among the cities in the country with the greatest risk of catastrophic flooding. The destructive power of Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, Super-storm Sandy and the bomb cyclone that hit Nebraska in March are yet more evidence climate change is upon us. We must adapt. We must prepare.

By Guest Commentary • April 1, 2019

Newsletters

Spring assortment: Scooters, speech, shopping, gardens, homes, wildlife

A wet winter turns to spring, two die in e-scooter wrecks, California comes for paper receipts, a pesticide verdict, mountain lions, falcon eggs, tweets.

By Dan Morain • March 21, 2019