U.S. EPA, CalEPA launch joint effort to strengthen environmental enforcement in communities overburdened by pollution

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 and the California Environmental Protection Agency signed a five-year, first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to expand joint activities supporting the agencies’ shared goals of reducing pollution burdens, increasing environmental compliance, and improving public health outcomes in overburdened California communities. Read the press release. Read the MOU. (9/10/21)

Governor Newsom Joins Governors Across the Country Calling for Bold Climate Investments  

California Governor Gavin Newsom today joined a group of 10 governors calling on Congressional leaders to ensure the federal infrastructure package includes key programs and funding to build resilience and tackle the intensifying climate crisis threatening communities across the country. Read the press release. (9/1/21)

Protect yourself and your family from damaging wildfire smoke

With the increase in wildfire activity across California this month, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is urging everyone to be Smoke Ready. Right now, crews are battling eleven major wildfires across the state that have burned over a million acres so far. Compared to this same time last year, California has seen an astounding 136 percent increase in total acres burned. As this wildfire activity intensifies, so too does the smoke that comes with it. Read the smoke ready press release. (8/17/21)

Going fishing? State releases health advisory and safe eating guidelines

CalEPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment issued a new statewide advisory that expands and updates advice for safely consuming sport fish from lakes and reservoirs throughout the state. The advice, issued for California lakes and reservoirs without site-specific advisories, reflects recent data on mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – which accumulate in fish and can pose a health risk to people consuming them. Posters with the advice for these water bodies are available on OEHHA’s website in English and additional languages. Read the fish advisory press release. (8/17/21)

Latest state Greenhouse Gas Inventory shows emissions continue to drop below 2020 target

The California Air Resources Board released greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory data for 2019, showing further reductions below the AB 32 emissions reduction target. That target, a return to 1990 GHG levels, was achieved by the state four years ahead of schedule in 2016. Read the GHG press release. (7/28/21)

As  drought conditions intensify, Gov. Newsom Calls on Californians to conserve water 

Amid intensifying drought and record-breaking temperatures, Gov. Gavin Newsom added nine counties to the regional drought state of emergency and called on Californians to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15% with simple measures to protect water reserves if drought conditions continue and to help maintain critical flows for fish and wildlife wherever possible. Read the drought press release. (7/8/21)