CalEPA Spotlight

California Will Phase Out Gasoline-Powered Cars in Fight Against Climate Change

By executive order, Governor Gavin Newsom established a goal to have all new passenger cars and trucks sold in California be zero emission in 15 years. The order also directs state agencies, including CalEPA’s California Air Resources Board, to develop regulations that make it happen.

“For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse – and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines,”  said Governor Newsom.

Read the press release and Executive Order N-79-20. Watch the signing on Twitter. (9/24/20)  UPDATE: CalEPA Responds to U.S. EPA Letter. (10/1/20)

News & Updates 

NASA to provide real-time satellite data for climate change efforts

A new partnership with Pasadena-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL) will help state agencies better understand climate change impacts and identify opportunities to build resilience, conserve biodiversity and use California’s natural and working lands to store and remove carbon from the atmosphere. Read the press release. (11/24/20)

State Water Board adopts new power plant compliance deadlines

To help maintain grid reliability as new sources of power are built during the next three years, the State Water Board amended a policy that protects marine life by extending compliance deadlines for power plants that use ocean water for cooling. Read the Once-Through Cooling Policy press release. (9/1/20)

Study finds wastewater treatment plants could profit by processing food waste while reducing greenhouse gases

A new report shows that at least half of California’s landfill-bound food waste could be processed at wastewater treatment plants and serve as an innovative power source. Maximizing co-digestion capacity could reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by more than half of the landfill emissions that California committed to reducing by 2030. Read the press release. (8/24/20)

New Report Lays Groundwork for Safer, More-sustainable Alternatives to Banned Pesticide Chlorpyrifos

A report identifies alternatives for California growers to the banned pesticide chlorpyrifos and calls for continued work towards safer, more sustainable pest management practices. Following California’s historic decision to end use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos in 2019, a work group was convened to evaluate potential alternatives. This is the groups report. Read the press release. (en español)  (7/16/20)

California Joins 14 States and District of Columbia to Accelerate Bus and Truck Electrification

“Our efforts in California will be magnified through the efforts of this multi-state coalition to reduce emissions and improve air quality, especially crucial in communities where our most vulnerable citizens live,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “By working together, we can move toward a cleaner future.” Read the press release. (7/14/20)

California Takes Bold Step to Reduce Truck Pollution

The California Air Resources Board adopted a first-in-the-world rule requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric, zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024. By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission. Read the press release. (en español) (6/25/20)

California and 22 other states take Trump Administration to court over vehicle emissions rollback

Today, California joined 22 other states and several other jurisdictions to challenge the Trump Administration’s plan to roll back vehicle emissions standards. Since these emission rules were enacted, they have reduced air pollution and protected the air our children breathe. Read the press release. (5/27/20)

CalEPA Urges U.S. EPA to Abandon Proposed “Dangerous and Unworkable” Science Standard

CalEPA Secretary Jared Blumenfeld today issued a statement on the agency’s comments submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding its proposed rulemaking: “Strengthening Transparency in Science.” See the statement. (5/21/20)

California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation Issues Pesticide Enforcement Guidance Amid COVID-19 Pandemic 

The Department of Pesticide Regulation issued guidance today to local county agricultural commissioners on expectations around the enforcement of pesticide regulations near schools and homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the press release (en español) (5/7/20)

CalEPA Issues Statement on Compliance with Regulatory Requirements During the COVID-19 Emergency

CalEPA will continue to respond, investigate, and – when necessary – take action on complaints related to environmental non-compliance. See full statement. (4/15/20)

Governor Issues Water Shutoff Order and Takes Steps to Maintain Delivery of Critical Water Services During COVID-19 Crisis

Building on efforts to provide support for residents during the statewide State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom today suspended public water systems’ ability to disconnect water service to residences and critical infrastructure sector small businesses. Read the press release. (en español) (4/2/20)