Aiming to streamline reviews under the landmark California Environmental Quality Act, Proposition 45 would shift who’s in charge of building in the Golden State. Supporters say it would also speed it up.
Alejandra Reyes-Velarde / CalMatters
Posted inEducation
California pulled the plug on new school air conditioners, leaving $200 million unspent
A program that promised schools upgraded AC systems was cut short in 2024, leaving hundreds of districts with broken systems and no money to fix them.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A chemical tank nearly exploded. Did California’s regulators miss the signs?
A tank at a Garden Grove aerospace plant came within a crack of exploding and forcing a toxic chemical cloud over 50,000 evacuated residents — here’s what regulators knew before it happened.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
California’s new plastic recycling rules spark fights from all sides
California set the country’s most ambitious plastic recycling deadline. Now, both environmental advocates and plastic producers could head to court.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California is spending hundreds of millions on heat. Will it ever be a public health priority?
As heat becomes a year-round reality, California is often still responding like it’s an emergency.
Posted inEducation
What California’s planned power outages are costing schools: Darkness, disruption and debt
California schools faced repeated planned power outages in 2024-25 as Southern California Edison cut electricity to prevent wildfires, forcing closures and costly backup power solutions.
Posted inLatest News
California spends billions based on this pollution tracker. Who benefits from its latest update?
California is updating CalEnviroScreen, the influential pollution tracker that helps determine which communities get environmental grants. Advocates say the state should improve the tool and use it more frequently to cut pollution.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California has a fallback plan for Trump’s clean car attacks. Does it go far enough?
Amid a legal fight over California’s power to regulate car and truck pollution, state agencies are suggesting policies that need stable funding, legislative action or lengthy rulemaking.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Cleaning up smog is suddenly much harder. Reined in by Trump, what will California do next?
With seven of the state’s most ambitious rules for cars, trucks and trains repealed, California officials now must find new ways to clean up the nation’s worst air pollution. But officials face growing pushback about affordability and costs.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
U.S. Senate blocks California’s electric car mandate in historic vote
Thursday’s vote in Washington could upend California’s phaseout of gas-powered cars and its decadeslong battle against air pollution. Some experts say Congress’ move is illegal and is likely to trigger a court battle.
