News & Updates

California Doubles Down to Combat Climate Crisis as Drought and Wildfire Intensify  

Amid worsening drought and wildfires across the American West, Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for bold action to move faster toward climate goals. In a letter to the California Air Resources Board, he called for quicker advancements in offshore wind, clean fuels, climate-friendly homes, carbon removal and addressing methane leaks. CalEPA also worked with other state agencies to launch a new California Climate Dashboard to track the state’s progress. Read the faster climate goals press release.  (7/22/22)

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)