california
California regulators fail to enforce new oil well cleanup law
California regulators decided they lack the authority to enforce the state's new oil well cleanup law on California's largest oil company merger, potentially costing taxpayers billions.
In short:
- California’s new oil well cleanup law, passed in October, requires companies to set aside bonds to cover cleanup costs during well transfers.
- State regulators ruled the law doesn't apply to the merger of California Resources Corp. and Aera Energy, which involves about 16,000 idle wells.
- Critics argue this interpretation creates a loophole allowing companies to evade the law’s financial requirements.
Key quote:
“If a company is drilling for oil in California, they should be responsible for cleaning and closing that oil well. Not enforcing the law as intended sets-up our state for a potential financial catastrophe.”
— Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo
Why this matters:
Idle oil wells in California leak pollutants, endanger public health and pose financial risks to taxpayers. Without enforcement, the state faces escalating cleanup costs and environmental hazards.
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Credit: John Gibbons/Unsplash
California pushes forward with Sites Reservoir construction
Despite the largest dam removal project in U.S. history underway, the federal government has allocated $216 million for California's first major new reservoir in fifty years.
In short:
- The proposed Sites Reservoir will require two main dams and will inundate 14,000 acres of grassland, primarily sourcing water from the Sacramento River.
- Advocates claim the project will address climate change by storing winter rainwater, but critics argue it endangers vital salmon habitats and serves wealthy agribusiness interests.
- The project, fast-tracked by the governor, is structured like real estate, allowing stakeholders to buy water shares.
Key quote:
"These winter flows are the only thing that’s keeping these really at-risk species alive and these ecosystems functioning."
— Ann Willis, California director of American Rivers
Why this matters:
The reservoir project highlights ongoing conflicts between water management and environmental conservation. It raises concerns about prioritizing economic interests over ecological health and equitable water distribution.
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Credit: Michael Held/Unsplash
Wildfires in California burn fiercely through the night
Climate change is intensifying nighttime wildfires in California, making them larger and harder to control, as observed over the recent July 4 weekend.
In short:
- Wildfires in California are growing and spreading overnight due to climate change, challenging firefighting efforts.
- Overnight fires, now more frequent, expand rapidly and give firefighters less time to intervene.
- Continuous nighttime burning is linked to extreme weather conditions, including heat waves and droughts.
Key quote:
“Night won’t save us. With climate change, we will see more and more overnight burning.”
— Kaiwei Luo, doctoral student in environmental sciences at the University of Alberta.
Why this matters:
Nighttime fires present unique challenges for firefighters. The cooler temperatures and higher humidity that typically help to suppress fires overnight are no longer as reliable. Instead, hotter nights and drier conditions allow fires to spread rapidly and unpredictably, endangering communities and natural habitats.
Related EHN coverage:
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Newsletter
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
California heat waves lead to deaths, financial losses
Recent heat waves in California have resulted in hundreds of deaths and billions in economic losses over the past decade, a new report by the state insurance department reveals.
In short:
- Seven heat events from 2013 to 2022 killed nearly 460 people and caused $7.7 billion in economic damage.
- Effects include lost wages, productivity declines, agricultural disruptions, and infrastructure damage.
- Low-income communities and minority groups face the highest heat-related death rates.
Key quote:
“It’s really important to understand that heat is a silent killer.”
— Michael Mendez, assistant professor of environmental planning and policy at UC Irvine
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures are more than just a summer inconvenience. They’re a serious threat to public health and the economy. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, face the greatest risks. Hospitals and emergency services are stretched thin during extreme heat events, dealing with a surge in heat-related illnesses.
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Credit: Rogelio Gonzalez/Unsplash
Californians to vote on $10 billion climate bond in November
California's Legislature agreed on a $10 billion climate resilience bond for the November 2024 ballot, addressing climate impacts amid a budget shortfall.
In short:
- California lawmakers reached a compromise on a $10 billion climate bond after budget cuts affected climate initiatives.
- The bond focuses on aiding communities most affected by climate change, with specific allocations for water, wildfire and air quality projects.
- Approval is pending, with lawmakers required to finalize by Wednesday.
Key quote:
"Our historically underserved communities on the front lines of the climate crisis could not afford to wait any longer."
— Eduardo Garcia, California Assemblymember.
Why this matters:
The bond aims to address urgent climate issues while promoting equity for disadvantaged communities. This initiative could provide significant improvements in infrastructure, resilience and public health, enhancing California's climate adaptation efforts.
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Newsletter
Credit: Zbynek Burival/Unsplash
Oil industry drops effort to repeal California's neighborhood drilling law
The oil industry has withdrawn its $40 million campaign against a California law protecting communities from oil drilling, but may challenge the measure in court.
In short:
- California’s Senate Bill 1137, signed in 2022, bans new oil wells within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites like homes and schools and tightens oversight of existing wells.
- Research has shown that Black and Latino and low-income Californians are most likely to be living near oil and gas wells.
- The oil industry spent over $60 million on lobbying and campaigning to overturn the law, but withdrew their referendum efforts after facing strong opposition from communities.
- Grassroots activists and legislators remain vigilant as the oil industry might pursue legal challenges against the law, arguing violations of private property laws.
Key quote:
“I think the fossil fuel industry saw that power, the power of that organizing and that momentum. And I think they knew it was a losing battle.”
— Luis Martinez, campaigns organizer with the nonprofit Fossil Free California.
Why this matters:
Neighborhood oil drilling exposes residents, especially in low-income and minority communities, to harmful chemicals linked to cancer and respiratory issues. This law, a cornerstone of California's aggressive environmental policies, seeks to create safer distances between oil drilling sites and residential areas, schools and other sensitive locations. For many Californians, especially those in lower-income and predominantly minority neighborhoods, this is a long-awaited step towards reducing health risks such as respiratory problems and other pollution-related ailments.
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Credit: Myko Makhlai/Unsplash
States seek to add health warning labels to gas stoves
California, New York, and Illinois are considering laws to require health warning labels on gas stoves, highlighting their potential risks.
In short:
- Proposed bills in California, New York, and Illinois aim to inform consumers that gas stoves can emit harmful pollutants linked to health issues.
- Appliance manufacturers argue that the warnings are exaggerated and politically motivated, pushing back against the legislation.
- Some Democrats are skeptical about the evidence and impact, suggesting comprehensive programs over labeling.
Key quote:
"We’re not banning gas stoves. We’re just basically requiring them to be labeled, warning people about how to best use them with good ventilation.”
— Gail Pellerin, California Assemblymember
Why this matters:
Health experts are sounding the alarm about pollutants released by gas stoves, which they say can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, particularly in children. The issue revolves around the combustion of natural gas, which releases nitrogen dioxide and other harmful pollutants into the air. These emissions can contribute to indoor air pollution levels that exceed those found outdoors, even in heavily trafficked urban areas.
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