Greenhouse Gas Emissions

PG&E’s Oakland K substation is silhouetted at sunset in the hills of Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. PG&E was supposed to shut off power at noon in the Oakland hills, but at 8:45 PM it was still on. Photo by Jane Tyska, Bay Area News Group

WhatMatters

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, August 18. Newsom orders investigation Millions of Californians should expect rolling blackouts through Wednesday night — and they’ll likely last hours longer than those over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Newsom said the state anticipates being 4,400 megawatts short of Monday’s energy needs. One megawatt can power up […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• August 18, 2020

Environment

Five automakers finalize deal with California to clean up car emissions

The companies pledged to meet state greenhouse gas requirements, not Trump administration rollbacks. In exchange, they get more time to meet them.

By

Rachel Becker

• August 17, 2020

Commentary

You can put a price tag on environmental and economic returns from protecting rangeland

From parks to rangeland, California’s open spaces provide a variety of benefits that it’s next to impossible to put a price tag on – until now.

By

Guest Commentary

• August 6, 2020

An all-electric Proterra bus operated by San Joaquin Regional Transit District, shown beside its "Fast Charging" station. Image via Creative Commons. California’s clean-air programs take a hit in new funding cuts.

Environment

Exclusive: California’s clean-air programs take a hit in new funding squeeze

Projects that tackle vehicles, pollution in low-income communities, prescribed burns and even cows have lost 14% of their original budgets because of cap and trade shortfall.

By

Rachel Becker

• July 30, 2020

Environment

California re-evaluating its landmark climate strategy

California EPA Secretary Jared Blumenfeld laid out plans for re-examining whether the program is likely to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gases. It signals a shift in the administration's attitude and reflects problems posed by the pandemic-caused recession.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 24, 2020

WhatMatters

Middle class to bear brunt of budget cuts

The UC and and CSU systems will take a $602 million hit under California budget cuts, potentially leading to a tuition hike for some families.

By

Emily Hoeven

• June 24, 2020

A man wearing a mask walks past a boarded up restaurant in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco on April 7, 2020. California is entering the fourth week of sheltering in place to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Will today be CA’s peak?

California may be about to hit coronavirus peak. Are new masks coming from China safe? COVID-19 poses dire predicament for farms and farmworkers

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 13, 2020

Oakland Technical High School students stand in front of the marquee after it was announced that all Oakland schools would close for three weeks over coronavirus concerns on March 13, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

End of the school year, state says

Coronavirus pandemic expected to keep schools closed for rest of academic year. State launches investivgation into use of charities by legislators.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 1, 2020

Close up of marijuana growing for a marijuana supplier.

WhatMatters

Election Day + Obamacare jeopardy + Job protection for workers who use cannabis? + Coronavirus update

Zombie votes and delayed results expected today. Bill would protect workers who use medical marijuana. Business and labor groups spent big on primary.

By

Dan Morain

• March 3, 2020

Toyota Prius Hybrid vehicle offering rides for UBER and LYFT in San Francisco Bay Area

Environment

California is taking aim at Uber and Lyft’s outsized climate consequences

Uber and Lyft are bigger climate polluters than they should be. California aims to fix that.

By

Carlyn Kranking

• March 3, 2020