It’s that time again – the beginning of state budget season. But unlike past years, the 2023-2024 budget is in a far more precarious situation. The last two budgets enjoyed massive surpluses and allocated billions of new dollars for clean transportation and climate programs. This year, however, California is facing a significant budget deficit – … Read more
Today’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is truly a landmark moment for air quality, public health and the planet’s climate. Though by no means perfect, the Inflation Reduction Act includes largest federal climate investment ever. The law’s $369 billion in climate investments will reduce climate-harming pollutants by 40% of 2005 levels by 2030. These … Read more
Giving Tuesday isn’t about bragging, though we could point to big wins here and here and here. It isn’t about donor education, though we could point out that we have a platinum charity rating. And it isn’t about the results of our work, though we could point out that the smog we’ve helped clean up … Read more
Here we go again. Wildfire season is raging in California. The vicious cycle of wildfires, air pollution, blackouts and reliance upon polluting diesel backup electricity generators continues. The vicious cycle of wildfires, air pollution, blackouts, and reliance upon polluting diesel backup electricity generators continues. And sadly, with this summer already proving to be as hot … Read more
California’s Legislature returns to the Capitol on August 16 to begin the four-week home stretch of this year’s session, with the fates of hundreds of bills to be decided. Here are some of the bills we’re working on: RELIEF FROM THOSE NOISY, SMELLY LEAF BLOWERS AND LAWN MOWERS Shockingly, the smog-forming emissions from small off-road … Read more
2021 has dawned as a significant moment for air quality. After four years of the pro-polluter Trump Administration, President Joe Biden has pledged to put environmental justice at the front of his climate policy. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a bold state budget plan that, if passed, will invest $1.5 billion in to … Read more
Big clean car news: the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and four major auto manufacturers (Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW, which represent about 30% of the automotive market) announced a compromise agreement regarding emissions and fuel efficiency standards. Already, several news reports have portrayed this agreement as rejection of the Trump Administration’s proposed freeze of … Read more
It’s a busy time for air quality – the California Legislature is in the middle of its legislative cycle; agencies are developing spending plans and regulations and local governments are considering ordinances and other actions that will affect our air. Given all this commotion, air quality advocates must be engaged at all levels of government. … Read more