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UPDATES ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS IN CALIFORNIA

 

Sierra Club California Blog Spot

Latest News

Cutting emissions, not “offsetting” them

By Bill Magavern, Director

If a polluter pays someone else to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, should the polluter get credit? Such “offset” projects may include emission reductions in a different local industry, planting trees in a deforested region, or paying a factory in China to stop producing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The logic behind offsets is that carbon reductions anywhere in the world are equally effective at controlling global climate change. Click here for the full article.

Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials and Assembly Committee on Health Informational Hearing on the Implementation of the California Green Chemistry Initiative; AB 1879 and SB 509

News Articles:

The CW 31: On The Money: Oil Drilling Controversy (January 15, 2010)

Daily Breeze: Environmentalists target Wright's voting record (January 9, 2010)

Capitol Weekly: Governor seeks new CEQA exemptions for construction projects (January 8, 2010)

The Los AngelesTimes: In State of the State address, Arnold Schwarzenegger unveils an ambitious wish list (January 7, 2010)

The Los Angeles Times: Nuclear plant near Fresno planned (December 30, 2009)

Truth Out: California's Water Package - One Big "Diversion"? (December 4, 2009)

Center for Investigative Reporting: Corporate farmer calls upon political allies to influence delta dispute (December 6, 2009)

Record Net: $11.1B bill likely a tough sale with voters (December 6, 2009)

KQED: Severe Water Delivery Cutbacks: Necessary or Tactic? (December 2, 2009)

Record Net: Bureaucratic scrutiny raises hackles (November 26, 2009)

The San Francisco Chronicle: PG&E seeks Diablo Canyon license renewal (November 25, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times: State proposes trading program to cut emissions (November 24, 2009)

The Daily Journal: City dives into state water issues (November 24, 2009)

The Mercury News: What are the largest sources of global warming emissions in California? The list is out (November 23, 2009)

KGO AM 801: Water bill sets dangerous precedents? (November 18, 2009)

The Daily Journal: Senator slams water package (November 12, 2009)

ABC News: Arnold signs a water bill in SJ (November 12, 2009)

The Mercury News: Schwarzenegger signs water conservation bill in San Jose (November 11, 2009)

The Associated Press: Calif. governor pushes $11B water bond plan, dams(November 10, 2009)

The Fresno Bee: Millerton Lake a backdrop for waterbond signing (November 9, 2009)

The Mother Jones: An End to California's Water Wars? (November 9, 2009)

The San Francisco Chronicle: Water plan goes easy on ag users, critics say (November 8, 2009)

The Columbus Dispatch: A re-refinery (October 31, 2009)

The New York Times: Proposed water plant raises growth issues in Marin County (October 23, 2009)

Mercury News: Year-long California water talks nearly done. But what might a deal look like? (October 22, 2009)

The San Diego Tribune: California's Water - A Vanishing Resource (October 20, 2009)

Capitol Weekly: Enviro community already split over water bond (October 15, 2209)

San Diego UnionTribune: Agencies adopt water diets (October 11, 2009)

The Contra Costa Times: Analysis: Even if water deal is reached, long road remains (October 10, 2009)

The Fresno Bee: Lawmakers aim for elusive state water deal (October 9, 2000)

The Sacramento Bee: Dan Walters: California water deal very close? Perhaps not (October 4, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times: Can lean times also be green times?
(October 4, 2009)

The Sacramento Bee: Huge carbon offset project prompts praise, concerns (09/30/2009)

The Sacramento Bee: Schwarzenegger hosts climate summit this week (9/29/2009)

The San Francisco Chronicle: Top state emitters of greenhouse gases face fees (9/26/2009)

The San Francisco Chronicle: Editorial: Incomplete Grade for Legislature (September 14, 2009)

The LA Times: California renewable energy goals: The devil is in the implementation (August 29, 2009)

The Fresno Bee: Legislative hearings on state's water crisis begin (August 17, 2009)

California Progress Report: Delta Community and Environment Groups Respond to Delta ...(August 7, 2009)

La Opinion -Parques estatales buscan sobrevivir (August 6, 2009)

Mother Jones: CA Climate Strategy: Learn to Adapt (Agust 5, 2009)

The San Diego Union Tribune: Tunnel under delta could be alternative to canal (July 31, 2009)

Capitol Weekly: Water politics ripple through Capitol (July 30, 2009)

The Washington Post: Calif. budget plan includes new offshore oil (July 22, 2009)

San Diego Tribune: Toxic diesel emission rules eased (July 22, 2009)

CBS 4 - Denver: Calif. Budget Plan Includes New Offshore Oil (July 22, 2009)

The Sac Bee: A deal -- at last (July 22, 2009)

The Sac Bee: California budget deal taking shape (July 19, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times: Arnold's budget dealing: a public health issue? (July 17, 2009)

Wall Street Journal: Parched State Searches for Ways to Expand Water Supply (July 9, 2009)

ABC 7: New California law will improve mercury thermostat recycling (July 2, 2009)

The Capitol Weekly: Offshore oil plan makes end run around State Lands Commission (June 8, 2009)

The California Progress Report: Toxic Risk Assessment Could Be Thrown Out With the Budget Dust (June 2, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times: California toxic waste regulators target automobile recycling 'fluff' (May 26, 2009)

The Chico ER: Interior chief: State water system badly needs update (April 16, 2009)

The Mercury News: Sierra Club: Tell Washington: no oil drilling off the California coast (April 14, 2009)

The Capitol Weekly:Cutting emissions, not “offsetting” them (April 2, 2009)

The Metro Santa Cruz: Delta Blues: Decades of mismanagement have left the Sacramento Bay Delta in a crisis with statewide implications. Now what? (March 26, 2009)

The Tribune: Transportation visionary sees variety of options as key to sustainability (February 15, 2009)

Bay Area Indymedia: Environmental and Fishing Communities Speak Out on Salmon Crisis (March, 10, 2009)

The Contra Costa Times: SUNBEAMS: Lamorinda (re-)emerging as a wine center (March 6, 2009)

Mercury News: Schwarzenegger declares California drought state of emergency (February 27th, 2009)

KNX - Water Agencies Are Urged to Cut Usage (February 28, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times: Lawmakers seek billions to expand, improve California's water supply (February 27, 2009)

The Sacramento Bee: California waste board attracts political heat (February 23, 2009)

Los Angeles Times: California budget plan could weaken air pollution rules (February 19, 2009)

San Francisco Chronicle: Calif. budget process is ultimate backroom deal (February 15, 2009)

Capitol Weekly: Key anti-pollution law is weakened in latest budget draft (February 13, 2009)

Los Angeles Times: The un-greening of California's budget? (February 12, 2009)

SF Chronicle: Plant's workers exposed to mercury, EPA says (February 8, 2009)

Contra Costa Times: Secrecy shrouds California budget talks (February 8, 2009)

The Contra Costa Times: SUNBEAMS: Lamorinda (re-)emerging as a wine center (February 6, 2009)

Mercury News: Schwarzenegger declares California drought state of emergency (February 27th, 2009)

KNX - Water Agencies Are Urged to Cut Usage (February 28, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times: Lawmakers seek billions to expand, improve California's water supply (February 27, 2009)

The Sacramento Bee: California waste board attracts political heat (February 23, 2009)

Los Angeles Times: California budget plan could weaken air pollution rules (February 19, 2009)

San Francisco Chronicle: Calif. budget process is ultimate backroom deal (February 15, 2009)

Capitol Weekly: Key anti-pollution law is weakened in latest budget draft (February 13, 2009)

Los Angeles Times: The un-greening of California's budget? (February 12, 2009)

SF Chronicle: Plant's workers exposed to mercury, EPA says (February 8, 2009)

Contra Costa Times: Secrecy shrouds California budget talks (February 8, 2009)

Oakland Tribune: Jerry Brown urged to probe Republican vote-trading allegations (Feb. 5, 2009)

Blog: Letter Presses AG to Investigate Republicans For Alleged Vote Trading in the Budget Process (Feb 6, 2009)

Inside Bay Area: Jerry Brown urged to probe Republican vote-trading allegations (February 5, 2009)

The Sacramento Bee: GOP accused of vote trading in budget talks (February 5, 2009)

The Sacramento Bee: Environmentalists sound alarms over budget deal (January 27, 2009)

The Sacramento Bee: AM Alert: The budget pie(January 27, 2009)

The San Diego Union Tribune: GOP pushing to weaken emissions standards (January 27, 2009)

California Progress Report: Arnold Continues War on Fish (January 27, 2009)

SJ Merc News: California budget stalemate ignites environmental debate (January 20, 2009)

BLOG: “Green Stimulus Package Will Boost California’s Economy, Green Groups Say(January 16, 2009)

Assembly and Senate Democrats Announce Green Economic Stimulus Plan (Jan. 14, 2009)

Contra Costa Times: Schwarzenegger accused of doing bidding of big business (Jan. 14, 2009)

Los Angeles Times: Schwarzenegger's effort to expedite highway projects angers environmentalists (Jan. 12, 2009)

The Press Enterprise: Relaxed laws part of state budget drama (Jan. 9, 2009)

Ventura County Star: Finger-pointing starts after state budget veto (Jan. 8, 2009)

San Diego Union-Tribune: Stroke of midnight begat bounty of laws (Jan. 1, 2009)

California Progress Report: Looking To Green the California Budget (December 21, 2008)

AP: Calif. gov. calls lawmakers back on budget (Dec. 19, 2008)

Schwarzenegger: Lawmakers must try again on budget (AP) (December 19, 2008)

San Diego Union-Tribune: A call for all to contribute to California's efforts (December 11, 2008)

San Francisco Chronicle: Air board to move on global warming proposals (December 10, 2008)

Capitol Weekly: Economic turmoil derails water plan – for now (November 20, 2008)

KCRA: Schwarzenegger May See Obama Cabinet Spot (November 19, 2008)

SF Chonicle: Governor tells staff to prepare for warming (November 17, 2008)

Oil firms vow to fight Schwarzenegger's tax proposal (November 7, 2008)

SF Chronicle: Renewable power, alternative fuel measures fail (November 5, 2008)

AP: Calif. defeats clean power, fuel measures (November 5, 2008)

OC Register: With defeat of Props. 10 and 7, what’s next for alternative energy? (November 5, 2008)

Is more nuclear energy in California's energy future? (November 3, 2008)

Indymedia: Is Schwarzenegger Terminating Salmon Surveys?
(November 2, 2008)

California Energy and Fuel Ballot Props 7 and 10 Will Be Defeated if the Voters Know What They are Voting On (November 2, 2008)

calitics.com: Barack Obama Doesn't Support Proposition 10 (October 31,2008)

Grist Magazine: Green intentions: A guide to 2008 environmental ballot measures

How 'green' are your state lawmakers? (October 30, 2008)

Sierra Club California Report Card Shows Many Green Donkeys, But Few Green Elephants in Our Midst (October 30, 2008)

LA Weekly: Proposition 7: The Most Confusing (October 30, 2008)

OC Register: Prop. 10: Criticisms range from profits to regulatory limits (October 29, 2008)

Eureka Reporter: Wiggins earns ‘perfect score’ on legislation (October 29, 2008)

Bakersfield.com: Sierra Club ranks Florez top, Ashburn bottom (October 29, 2008)

Fog City Journal.com: How Did The Green Vote Grow? Bay Area Representatives Cast Significant Percentage of Green Votes (October 29, 2008)

The California Aggie: Prop 2 would change livestock confinement laws (October 16, 2008)

Christian Science Monitor: With Prop. 7, California argues its energy future (October 16, 2008)

LA Daily News: Props. 7 and 10 aren't good green initiatives (October 16, 2008)

NPR: Prop 10: Big Wind, Big Bond (October 13, 2008)

From the California Progress Report: Coalition of "EVERYONE” Launches No on 10 Campaign (October 10, 2008)

From Capitol Weekly: Prescription: A healthier global warming plan (October 9, 2008)

From the Daily Journal: Energy propositions taking heat from critics (October 9, 2008)

Sierra Club California Hails New Toxics-Fighting Law (September 30, 2008)

California launches broad effort to control hazardous chemicals (September 30, 2008)

Schwarzenegger signs chemical regulation overhaul (September 29, 2008)

Making California Fire-Safe Starts by Not Making the Problem Worse (Sept. 25, 2008)

Western states pitch plan to reduce greenhouse emissions (Sept. 24, 2008)

Propositions 7 and 10 Offer Californians No Real Alternatives: Sierra Club California Opposes Both (September 18, 2008)

Press Conference Held to Announce Opposition to Oil & Gas Drilling Off California´s Coast
(Sept. 12,2008)

Capitol Weekly: Money, health at center of fight over diesel rules (September 11, 2008)

Ventura County Star: Poll finds support for drilling (July 31, 2008)

Press-Enterprise: Gap family company takes over troubled timber firm (July 30,2008)

SF Chronicle: Court denies stay in Pacific Lumber case (July 30, 2008)

Blog: Good Jobs, Clean Air (July 29, 2008)

Capitol Weekly: Lawmakers remain skeptical as governor links drought, water bonds (July 24, 2008)

LA Times: State Supreme Court gives new protection to endangered species (July 18, 2008)

Eureka Reporter: Supreme Court rules in favor of EPIC in PALCO case (July 18, 2008)

Capitol Weekly Commentary by Bill Magavern: Now is the time for solutions to global warming pollution (May 29, 2008)

From Sacramento Bee: Schools substituting field trips with video links (May 28, 2008)

From Coastsider: Appropriations Committee Passes AB 1991 (May 23, 2008)

From SF Examiner: Activists can’t stop bailout for Half Moon Bay — yet (May 23, 2008)

From California Progress Report: Protecting Our Air and Atmosphere Against Republican Rollbacks in California (May 22, 2008)

From North County Times: Transit target of state budget axe (May 16, 2008)

Watch Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s May 14 press conference unveiling the budge

KQED audio file: Water rationing comes to East Bay(May 14, 2008)

From New York Times: Planet U.S.: The Coastal Warrior (May 14, 2008)

Enforce Diesel Rules, Sierra Club California Director Tells Regulators (April 25,2008)

Environmental Groups Decry Half Moon Bay Environmental Exemption Bill (April 25, 2008)

Analysis: California's patience running on empty over proposed U.S. fuel rules” (April 24, 2008)

KCRA Video: “State’s Environmental Report Card Scrutinized" (April 22, 2008)

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel: "Bevy of state bills seek out greener California" (April 22, 2008)

Coastsider Editorial: "HMB to Sacramento: If you don’t support AB1991, we’ll kill this dog" (April 17, 2008)

From the San Francisco Chronicle: "Half Moon Bay settlement faces opposition" (April 16,2008)

From California Progress Report: Those Who Want to Build a Toll Road Through a California State Park Want Feds to Overturn Coastal Commission Without a Public Hearing (April 16, 2008)

BLOG: Assemblymember Levine and Environmental Groups Send Governor a Letter Saying No to Nuclear (4/01/08)

From The Modesto Bee: "Utilities, consumers face challenges presented by renewable energy" (March 18 2008)

Consumers Advised on Mercury Risks from CFL Breakage

Sierra Club California Names New Leadership Team

From Plenty Magazine: "The Californication of Golden State Parks" (February 6, 2008)

Statement of Bill Magavern, Sierra Club California Advocacy Director, On Cal-EPA’s Green Chemistry Initiative Phase One Report (January 31, 2008)

From LA City Beat: "Tragedy of the commons: Can we blame trash on the beach?" (January 24, 2008)

From the Capitol Weekly: "Coalition rises to protect the San Onofre State Beach" (January, 2008)

From California Progress Report: "Who wants to camp under a toll road? A bad idea for California's park" (January 24, 2008)

California Resources Secretary Releases Preferred Alternative for Salton Sea Restoration

Salton Sea Coalition Urges Immediate Action To Save Salton Sea: The Next Phase Of Restoration Must Focus On Immediate Threats To Public Health And Wildlife (May 2007)

Sierra Club California Joins With 70 Other Conservation, Recreation And Native American Groups In Telling Governor Schwarzenegger "No New Dams" For California (March 2007)

View the "No New Dams" letter to Governor Schwarzenegger. ( more...)

View the response letter from Governor Schwarzenegger. ( Governor's Response Letter)

Video:

Sierra Club CA Director Bill Magavern Takes Aim At Offshore Drilling Plans

Video Courtesy News 10.net.