environment - CalMatters

The South Yuma County Landfill in Yuma, Arizona on Nov. 29, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California Toxics: Out of state, out of mind

by Robert Lewis January 25, 2023January 26, 2023

A CalMatters investigation finds that environmentally stringent California sends nearly half its toxic waste across its borders, often to states with weaker rules. One of the biggest out-of-state dumpers: the state’s own hazardous waste watchdog.

California has disposed of about 400,000 tons of contaminated soil at the South Yuma County Landfill in Arizona since 2018, according to California’s hazardous waste tracking system. The waste is considered hazardous in California, but Arizona’s less stringent environmental requirements allow businesses and government agencies in the Golden State to take the waste to regular landfills like this one. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California outsources its toxic waste

by Ben Christopher January 25, 2023January 25, 2023

A field of spinach is irrigated with Colorado River water in Imperial Valley on Dec. 5, 2022. Growers in region are debating how they will cut Colorado River water imports. Photo by Caitlin Ochs, Reuters

Growers brace to give up some Colorado River water

by Alastair Bland January 17, 2023January 17, 2023

The sun sets behind a row of electrical towers in Fresno County on Sept. 6, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Race to zero: Can California’s power grid handle a 15-fold increase in electric cars?

by Nadia Lopez January 17, 2023February 6, 2023

Cars trapped in a flooded part of the road in the center of the town of Planada on Jan. 11, 2023. The town was under evacuation orders after a series of storms flooded the town. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

How California can prepare for future floods before a megastorm hits

by Guest Commentary January 17, 2023January 16, 2023

Five turbines of America's first offshore wind farm, owned by the Danish company, Orsted, off the coast of Block Island, R.I., on Oct. 17, 2022. Photo by David Goldman, AP Photo

There’s nothing clean about offshore wind development unless California tribes are involved

by Guest Commentary January 13, 2023January 12, 2023

An electric vehicle charging station in Milbrae on July 29, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Environmentalists say Newsom’s budget cuts jeopardize climate programs, electric car mandate

by Nadia Lopez January 10, 2023January 10, 2023

The California Firefighters Memorial on the state Capitol grounds on March 4, 2022. Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Inside CalMatters

CalMatters journalists win awards for ‘compelling’ and ‘high quality’ environmental coverage

by Sonya Quick January 10, 2023December 30, 2022

A car stops on a flooded Lambert Road off Interstate 5 in Sacramento County on Jan. 3, 2023. Northern California was hit by a major rainstorm that caused power outages, landslides and flooding over the New Year's holiday weekend. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Sacramento Valley, already deluged, braces for more floods

by Julie Cart and Alastair Bland January 4, 2023January 5, 2023

Crews repair a levee on north side of the Cosumnes River on Jan. 2, 2023, after it was breached by heavy rains and flooded Sacramento County roads and properties near Wilton. Photo by Fred Greaves, Reuters

Bomb cyclone, floods expose California vulnerabilities

by Emily Hoeven January 4, 2023January 4, 2023