The California Air Resources Board (CARB), the agency tasked with enforcing the state’s climate disclosure rules, published guidance this Wednesday on how companies can comply with Senate Bills 253 and 261 (which govern...more
One of the Bay Area’s largest reservoirs is about to get bigger thanks to a partnership between local water agencies and the federal government. The San Luis Reservoir Dam, between Los Banos and Gilroy, will be raised 10 feet...more
Three years after a massive spill at a Los Angeles wastewater facility sent millions of gallons of sewage into Santa Monica Bay, the city has agreed to spend more than $20 million on improvements to remedy the environmental...more
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association said on Thursday that they had reached an agreement, referred to as the "Clean Truck Partnership," that gives new flexibility for...more
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday narrowed the scope of the 1972 Clean Water Act by ruling that an Idaho couple's property does not include wetlands subject to federal oversight under the law. The decision in Sackett v. EPA...more
What’s Next in the Regulation of Methane Emissions? Previously in our sessions, I have discussed carbon dioxide and what policymakers should do about it. Last month I explained it in full in a speech to the Independent...more
Southland air regulators threaten to sue EPA for failure to control federally-regulated emissions sources Bullet - Los Angeles Times - May 10 - The South Coast Air Quality Management District (District), which oversees a...more
Focus - New EPA policy would offer alternative to penalties for some oil and gas polluters - The Hill - January 29 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon unveil a finalized audit policy that will offer...more
BAAQMD Developing Rules to Regulate Methane Emission - The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (“BAAQMD”), as part of its Methane Strategy, is pursuing rules to address methane emissions from several source categories....more
Environmental and Policy Focus - D.C. Circuit grants EPA’s request to delay 2015 smog rule case - Washington Post - Apr 11 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday granted a...more
This presentation to the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition (NIPPC) reviews the current direction of carbon-reducing public policy and legal trends and their impacts on power producers and developers both...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Governor Brown signs into law two landmark climate bills - San Francisco Chronicle - Sep 8 - Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed SB32, the nation’s toughest climate law,...more
This is the second update on environmental regulatory and legal developments in Los Angeles and adjacent counties, as well as the Southern San Joaquin Valley. We welcome your comments and feedback....more
Not to be outdone by its federal counter-parts, the California Air Resources Board (“ARB”) released Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities (“proposed rule”) for methane emissions on...more
This is the first update on environmental regulatory and legal developments in Los Angeles and adjacent counties, as well as the Southern San Joaquin l Valley. Let us know what you think. Your comments on this Update will...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - State Water Project allocation increased to 45 percent - Western Farm Press - Mar 17 - This year’s “miracle March” boosted water supply conditions well enough in California for...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - State lawmaker seeks to close old SoCal Gas wells in Aliso Canyon - Los Angeles Business - Jan 12 State Senator Fran Pavley is calling for Southern California Gas Co. to close older...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Royal Dutch Shell suspends Arctic drilling indefinitely: Washington Post - Sep 28: Royal Dutch Shell announced early on September 28, 2015 that it will indefinitely suspend its Arctic...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Volkswagen says 11 million cars may be involved in emissions scandal; probes multiply: Reuters - Sep 23: Volkswagen AG said a scandal over falsified U.S. vehicle emission tests could...more