CalEPA Spotlight

California Invests $1.5 Million to Support Environmental Justice Projects Statewide

CalEPA has awarded $1.5 million in environmental justice grants to fund 34 projects aimed at combating pollution, improving health outcomes and increasing public engagement in some of California’s most pollution-burdened communities. See the full list of 2019 recipients and learn more about the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. (7/17/19) 

News & Updates

Alternatives to Chlorpyrifos Work Group Announced

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation and California Department of Food and Agriculture announced the members of a new, cross-sector working group created to identify, evaluate and recommend safer, sustainable pest management solutions that can replace the pesticide chlorpyrifos. (en español)) (8/14/19)

Governor Newsom Announces Climate Pollution Continues to Drop Below 2020 Targets While State’s Economy Grows

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that greenhouse gas emissions in California continued to fall ahead of schedule in 2017 as the state’s economy grew ahead of the national average, according to the California Air Resources Board’s latest state inventory of climate-changing emissions. (8/12/19)

CalEPA Commissioning Studies on Fossil Fuel Demand & Supply

This fiscal year’s budget directs CalEPA to contract for two studies to understand strategies to manage decreases in California’s fossil fuel demand and supply. CalEPA is scoping these studies with other agencies, and will ask for public review and comment on a draft in September. Inquiries can be sent to climatechange@calepa.ca.gov. (8/8/19)

California and Major Automakers Reach Groundbreaking Framework Agreement on Clean Emission Standards

 As the Trump administration prepares to roll back emission standards for light-duty cars and trucks, a consortium of automakers and California have agreed on a voluntary framework to reduce emissions that can serve as an alternative path forward for clean vehicle standards nationwide. Automakers who agreed to the framework are Ford, Honda, BMW of North America and Volkswagen Group of America. (7/25/19)

State Agencies Seek Input on Creating Climate-Resilient Water System

State agencies are asking Californians to help shape a roadmap for meeting future water needs and ensuring environmental and economic resilience through the 21st century. Input from the public will help the Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Food and Agriculture craft recommendations to Governor Gavin Newsom to fulfill his April 29 executive order calling for a suite of actions to build a climate-resilient water system and ensure healthy waterways. Read the press release. (6/13/19)