Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Berenice Solis volunteers as a tax preparer to help low wage earners in Kern County claim tax credits. Photo by Susana Espinoza, via Berenice Solis.

Newsletters

Newsom’s learning curve, breaks for low-wage workers, and another city’s homeless spike

State budget provides learning curve for Newsom. Earned Income Tax Credit more than doubles. Canada, California join in climate fight.

By

Dan Morain

• June 27, 2019

photo of tap water running out of a faucet

Newsletters

Clean water, gas taxes, contraceptives and gay pride

Cap-and-trade revenue to be used to treat drinking water. Republicans lament gas tax hike. Gig work becomes a campaign issue.

By

Dan Morain

• June 18, 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

Newsletters

Wildfire liability, a budget deal, electric trucks and dead cows

Legislature feels heat on wildfire plan. CPUC, utilities prepare to square off at U.S. Supreme Court. Democrats leery of tax hikes.

By

Dan Morain

• June 10, 2019

Washington rejected the auto industry's plea to meet California halfway on emissions standards. Photo by Thinkstock

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

Shell oil refinery in Martinez, California; the state could have a new cap-and-trade partner if Oregon's new carbon trading bill passes.

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

With California hosting the greatest gathering of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders to date, national networks such as CBS are covering the state party convention in San Francisco.

Newsletters

Presidential politics, what was unsaid, and a scary moment

Democratic presidential hopefuls shop for California support but steer clear of state issues. Kamala Harris has a scary moment. Democrats get new leader.

By

Dan Morain

• June 3, 2019

California Democrats brace for their annual convention. Image by Don DeBold via Flickr

Newsletters

Gas-powered engines, Democrats’ turmoil, and clean water

r Resources Board chair delivers message to auto industry. Proposed clean water tax hits snag. California Democrats prepare to elect new chair.

By

Dan Morain

• May 28, 2019

Cars stuck in traffic in San Francisco, California

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

Newsletters

Stalled bills, bashed bullet trains, spell check and an acquittal

By

Dan Morain

• May 17, 2019