Environmental Justice | CalMatters

environmental justice

Legislation will provide environmental justice to protect communities from toxics

by Guest Commentary September 24, 2020September 30, 2020

The Legislature took an important step in protecting environmental justice communities from toxic waste; now it’s the governor’s turn.

Time for California communities to step up on environmental justice

by Guest Commentary July 3, 2020July 8, 2020

At new Waterfront Park, children play between the Valero and Phillips 66 refineries, right beside the Los Angeles Port.

‘Troubling’ audit reveals state failure to test millions of babies for toxic lead

by Elizabeth Aguilera January 7, 2020June 8, 2020

Blowback on ethnic studies, mental illness, fighting to save forests, and cannabis

by Dan Morain August 9, 2019August 8, 2019

Shirley Weber speaks into a microphone on Assembly floor.

Stephon Clark, gun seizures, trade and beach access

by Dan Morain March 4, 2019

More apartments would go up near transit under a bill that its sponsor says is vital to helping California meet its ambitious housing goals. Photo via Creative Commons.

My turn: Don’t blame environmental law for California’s housing crisis

by Guest Commentary January 15, 2019

The skyline of San Francisco, where Gov. Jerry Brown will host a climate summit, is shown. | Photo by heyengel via iStock

Heavy hitters on climate change converge on San Francisco, with Gov. Jerry Brown as host

by Julie Cart September 7, 2018June 23, 2020

Children at play in Wilmington, California—their neighborhood adjacent to industry. Photo by Iris Schneider for CALmatters

‘Trying to breathe’—as CA toasts environmental win, pollution still plagues

by Julie Cart July 27, 2017June 23, 2020

The most debated portion of the Garcia bill involves an existing loophole under the current cap and trade law that allows industrial facilities to get around retrofitting old, less-efficient equipment by purchasing pollution offsets and continuing to emit. But in addressing one cap-and-trade loophole, Garcia’s bill appears to open another: While it requires local air boards to establish equipment retrofitting programs, because the original law’s language was not struck, facilities could continue to trade pollution credits in lieu of replacing older equipment. Such a program, known as RECLAIM, is operated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. During floor debate, Garcia made it clear that her bill did not intend to create that loophole, but the language remained in the version that passed.

Newly passed pollution bill is ‘downpayment’ to environmental justice

by Julie Cart July 18, 2017June 23, 2020

A view of the east side of Los Angeles, The Burlington Northern Hobart Yard — the largest intermodal freight yard in the U.S., located in City of Commerce, on the East side of Los Angeles. Photo by Doc Searls via Flickr

California Capitol focuses on environmental injustice—but will it lead to real results?

by Laurel Rosenhall May 17, 2017June 23, 2020