News & Updates

California Petitions Federal Government to add Exide to Superfund List

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) formally requested that the former Exide facility in Vernon, and surrounding communities, be added to U.S. EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) also known as the Superfund. This would provide potentially millions of federal dollars for cleanup and expedite the remainder of the Exide cleanup. Read the DTSC news release. (7/1/22)

Statewide Emergency Water Conservation Regulation Now in Effect

A new statewide emergency water conservation regulation is now in effect. It bans using drinking water when watering decorative or non-functional grass at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. It also requires urban water suppliers to ramp up conservation actions under Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans.  The State Water Board adopted the regulation on May 24 and it went into effect on June 10. The new restrictions are in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 28 Executive Order N-7-22 calling for water conservation directives to address California’s new normal of climate extremes. Read the press release and the Frequently Asked Questions. (6/14/22)

State Enlists Commercial, Industrial Sector in Water Conservation Efforts

As Californians continue efforts to reduce water use at homes and on farms, the Newsom Administration is enlisting the state’s commercial and industrial sector as a partner in immediate and long-term efforts to lessen demand for limited water supplies amid historic drought and a changing climate. A regulation set to take effect this month will drive a reduction in water use by halting irrigation of decorative or non-functional grass with potable water in commercial, industrial and institutional settings. Read the water conservation press release. (6/7/22)

Lake Oroville at 55% capacity on May 6.

Governor Newsom Convenes Summit with Local Water Leaders, Urges More Aggressive Response to Drought

Governor Gavin Newsom convened leaders from the state’s largest urban water suppliers, which cover two thirds of Californians, and water associations imploring them to take more aggressive actions to combat drought and better engage their customers to ensure all Californians are doing their part to save water. He warned that if the localized approach to conservation does not result in a significant reduction in water use statewide this summer, the state could be forced to enact mandatory restrictions. Read the Governor’s Water Summit press release (5/23/22)

Governor Newsom Presents $300.7B Blueprint Paving the California Way Forward

As global inflation and war in Europe drive up costs across the country, California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a $300.7 billion budget to provide relief from rising inflation, ensure public safety, address homelessness, transform public education, and combat climate change. The Governor’s California Blueprint includes $47.1 billion to tackle pollution, build climate resilient water supplies, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, ensure grid reliability and accelerate clean energy solutions, and protect communities from extreme heat. Read the Governor’s budget press release and California Climate Commitment. (5/13/22)

CARB releases ambitious draft climate action plan

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today released a draft plan that charts rapid timeline to cut pollution and engage every sector of the world’s fifth largest economy. When final, it will guide the state’s transition to a clean energy economy, drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 or sooner, and significantly clean the state’s air, especially in disadvantaged communities disproportionately burdened by persistent pollution. Read the Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update and the press release. (5/10/22)