Current Actions

  • Take action: Keep our state parks open

    Creative funding solutions will ensure access to open spaces

    California state parks have suffered from neglect for years due to funding shortfalls. The lack of secure and adequate funds has led to partial park closures, reduced public access, and extensive deferred maintenance. Currently, a quarter of our state parks are slated for closure. Assembly Bill 1589 (Huffman), the California State Parks Stewardship Act of 2012, addresses short- and long-term needs for California state parks, achieving budget savings without wide scale park closures.

    AB 1589 offers several funding opportunities and other creative strategies to help prevent state parks from being closed.

    With over 65 million visitors annually, our state parks provide more than recreation — they bring in a crucial stream of revenue for their surrounding communities and the state’s travel industry. The state can't afford to shut the gates on our parks.

    Please ask your Assemblymember to vote YES in support of AB 1589 today.

  • What the Frack Is Going on Next Door?! Require the fossil fuel industry to notify neighbors before fracking.

    What if formaldehyde, methanol, toluene, benzene, hydrochloric acid, and diesel fuel were being pumped into your own backyard???  And that’s just a short list of possibilities.  Toxic concoctions used for oil and gas extraction can contain a litany of harmful chemicals, but the industry doesn’t have to disclose their fracking locations. Knowing where fracking will happen is the first step towards protecting California's water from toxic, carcinogenic chemicals.  Senate Bill 1054 (Pavley) would require oil and gas well operators to provide advance notice to the nearby property owners and occupants, water suppliers, and local government before they frack.   

    SB 1054 will require well owners and operators to tell their neighbors before undertaking drilling or fracking operations. 

  • Support Clean Elections: Keep Dirty Coal and Big Oil from Buying our Democracy

    In Citizens United v. FEC the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited money influencing elections. In 2010 alone corporate-backed groups spent $300 million in an effort to buy our elections. 

    But corporations are not people. Real people’s First Amendment right to free speech is threatened by the tidal wave of money these industry giants are spending trying to secure victory for their hand-picked candidates.

    Sign the petition for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling and reclaim our democracy for people—who want clean air, clean water and a better future for their children– from Big Oil and Big Coal, which just want to make more profits.

  • Safe, clean water is a human right

    It seems so basic, yet California still has not ensured that all of our communities have access to safe drinking water. The Human Right to Water bill – Assembly Bill 685 – would help make access to clean water a reality for all Californians.

    Runoff from industrial or agricultural polluters leaves some Californians with water too toxic to consume. Many of the communities they live in can’t afford to clean up the toxic chemicals in their water and are left entirely without safe water. Forcing whole communities to buy bottled water is not an acceptable alternative to safe, affordable tap water.

    We should be able to take for granted that the water that comes out of our taps is safe to drink. Too many Californians cannot. More than 250,000 Central Valley residents alone do not receive safe drinking water. Families unable to afford treated or bottled water are left entirely without safe water, and are at particular risk of adverse health impacts from contaminated water supplies.

    Here’s The Solution

    The first step is to acknowledge that access to safe, affordable drinking water is a human right – and then work to make that right a reality.

    Last year Governor Brown signed four bills to move us closer to making access to clean water a reality for Californians. Unfortunately, the core bill in the Human Right to Water package of bills never made it to his desk.

    AB 685 (Eng) will establish the right of every Californian to have access to clean water for basic human needs as a state policy and instruct state agencies to conform their practices and programs to this policy.

    Drinking, bathing in or cooking with water that comes out of the faucet shouldn’t be a health hazard.

  • Phase out the foam: disposable foam takeout containers have to go

    From cradle to grave, polystyrene foam finds its way into us and our environment. During manufacturing, toxins are released into air and water. Once in use as to-go containers, styrene leaches from packaging into food and beverages. Finally, at the end of its lifecycle, foam wreaks havoc on the environment as one of the most abundant forms of litter. Senate Bill 568 (Lowenthal) would ban polystyrene foam take-out containers.

    Why Ban Foam Take-Out Containers?

    • Foam debris degrades waterways and impacts wildlife. It can’t be controlled using typical litter collection methods because small lightweight pieces blow away and are widely dispersed. What isn't collected in clean-ups is often eaten by birds and marine animals, which mistake it for food, are poisoned, and die.
    • Foam = 15% of urban litter, costing taxpayers millions. Cities spend millions of dollars controlling litter on streets, at beaches, and in storm drains. The city of Long Beach alone spends over $3 million per year cleaning up litter. Inland cities are similarly affected.
    • Foam threatens public and worker health. The US Department of Health and Human Services lists styrene as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Styrene leaches from containers into food and beverages when heated or in contact with fatty or acidic foods. Manufacturing foam exposes workers to styrene and is linked with leukemia, lymphoma, and neurological impairment.
    • Banning the foam will create MANY (safer) jobs. SB 568 will increase demand for alternatives and increase the jobs in sustainable packaging manufacturing- i.e. styrene-free workplaces. Many manufacturers of alternatives already exist in Calfiornia, providing approximately 1,500 to 2,000 jobs.

    Alternatives to foam packaging exist and are comparable in price. In the over 50 jurisdictions where foam has been banned, restaurants are successfully providing cleaner “to-go” packaging.

    California must get rid of polystyrene take-out food containers. They harm our health and environment, and safer alternatives are already available.

  • Who Funds Attacks on Our Environment and Democracy?

    Help expose polluters’ hidden agendas by making political ads more transparent

    Every election cycle, polluters and other special interests conceal the fact that they pour hundreds of millions of dollars into ballot measures in hopes of tricking us into voting against our own best interest. Assembly Bill 1648 (Brownley), the California Disclose Act, would fight back against hidden spending on campaigns by letting voters know who REALLY is paying for political ads — in the ads themselves.

    The Disclose Act encourages an informed democracy because it:

    • Requires the three largest funders of political ads to be clearly identified with their names and logos on the ads themselves, so voters know who is actually paying for them.
    • Applies to all television ads, radio ads, print ads, mass mailers, and websites for or against state and local ballot measures, and to independent expenditures for and against candidates. It applies whether ads are paid for by corporations, unions, or millionaires.
    • Tells voters where to find the details by requiring ads to list a website with greater disclosure and a link to the Secretary of State's website.
    • Will “pierce through” hidden funders by requiring political ads to report their three largest actual contributors, no matter how many committees or groups their contributions pass through.

    The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision unleashed unlimited anonymous spending on campaigns. It allowed hidden special interests to spend millions on deceptive ads for government-changing propositions. Here in California, over $235 million was spent on ballot measures in 2010, almost all of it by special interests hiding behind innocuous-sounding names like “Stop Hidden Taxes” or the “California Jobs Initiative”.

    For example, the misleading “Stop Hidden Taxes” campaign to pass Prop 26, aided by an $18 million ad effort, means the state and cities can’t raise fees—even on polluters—without a 2/3 vote. The three largest funders of Prop 26? Chevron, the American Beverage Association, and Philip Morris. The result? California struggles to pass new user- and polluter-based fees to close the budget deficit, and had to reverse its previously passed oil severance fee, losing over $1 billion in much needed revenue. We can’t let voters continue to fall victim to polluters’ hidden agendas.

  • Urge the EPA to enact stronger fuel economy standards!

    The Obama administration is proposing to strengthen fuel economy and carbon pollution standards for new cars and light trucks to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025! This would be a major step forward in ending our dependence on fossil fuels.

    Even though 13 automakers have signed letters supporting these new, stronger standards, the National Automobile Dealers Association and their well-funded corporate lobbyists are pulling out all the stops to derail reform. That’s why it’s crucial that the EPA hear from people like you how important these new standards are.

    Submit a public comment to the EPA below, then help amplify your impact by asking your friends to join us in taking action.

  • Strengthen California's Clean Fuel Policies

    They’re at it again. Oil companies and their well-funded lobbyists are hard at work in Sacramento to undermine California's "low carbon fuel standard," which requires oil companies to invest in alternative energy sources. It also prevents some of the dirtiest fossil fuel sources—such as tar sands—from being used in California.

    Despite industry pressure, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is proposing changes to the low carbon fuel standard to ensure that California continues to use cleaner, low carbon fuel. These changes are a key step forward to improve our air and reduce pollution as we move towards clean and renewable energy sources.

    Tell the California Air Resources Board that you support cleaner burning fuels by submitting a comment for the record today using the form at right. Note: The deadline for comments is 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 15, 2011.

    If you'd like to submit a customized letter, please visit the CARB public comment form here.

  • 2011 California Environmental Scorecard

    2010 California Environmental Scorecard

    The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) – the political arm of the California environmental movement – has released its 38th annual California Environmental Scorecard. The record of the year’s most important environmental votes reveals how the governor and members of the state legislature performed on the environment in the 2011 legislative session.

    How did your legislator perform on the environmental community’s priority bills to protect the environment and public health? Learn your legislators’ scores and then let them know what you think!

  • Thank Governor Brown for his environmental leadership

    Governor Jerry Brown has shown great leadership by making strong pro-environment appointments to his Administration. He also rejected efforts to weaken key environmental protections during tough negotiations on the state budget.

    Recently, Governor Brown signed many important bills into law that protect the environment and public health, including a landmark renewable energy bill, a ban on the toxic chemical bisphenol-A in baby bottles, a ban on the sale and possession of shark fins, and a package of bills to secure access to clean drinking water for all Californians.

    Email Governor Brown today to: 1) thank him for signing important environmental bills and 2) urge him to continue his leadership next year.

  • Stop the Giveaway of California’s Wilderness!

    Do you want more than 400 wild places in California to lose their protections from mining, logging and drilling?

    That’s what could happen if radical anti-conservation legislators in the U.S. Congress succeed in passing legislation to open up our nation’s great outdoors, including the Golden State’s wild lands, for industrial development.

    The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act, introduced by California Rep. Kevin McCarthy in the House of Representatives, would give big corporations the ability to pollute in untouched wilderness that has been protected for decades. Industrial activities like mining, logging and drilling are already allowed on more than half of our national forests and other public lands. H.R. 1581 proposes to open up most of the rest.

    More than half of America’s forests and deserts would be open to industrial development and to off-road vehicle use. You can help protect California’s wild places from development and pollution. Please ask your Members of Congress to oppose H.R. 1581.

  • Support Online Voter Registration!

    Right now, Californians who want to register to vote can go to my official website and quickly step through an online voter registration application.  However, under current law each person who completes the online process still must print the form, sign it, and mail it in before their application can be considered complete.

    It’s that final piece — the person’s signature — that needs to be transferred from the Department of Motor Vehicles before Californians can enjoy the benefits of a true, 100% online voter registration application process.

    That’s why I’m excited to see CLCV working to enact Senate Bill 397 (Yee), which will help take that final step as soon as next year. Please support this groundbreaking legislation by signing the petition today!



    Debra Bowen
    California Secretary of State

  • Empower Local Communities to Fix Transportation

    Take Action to Fix Transportation:
    Email Your State Legislators Today!

    Our trains and buses are falling apart. Walking and biking are dangerous in too many places. Traffic is increasing on our streets and highways, producing harmful air pollution and time-wasting gridlock. And after years of budget cuts, there’s not enough money to fix the transportation problems we all see in our California communities.

    Thankfully, there’s a solution to this funding crisis: Senate Bill 791 (Steinberg) empowers regional transportation agencies to develop transportation improvements through a per-gallon fee on local fuel purchases. All such increases would require approval from a majority of local voters.

    This transportation funding bill is crucial for the future of transportation and the health of our environment – but the oil industry is doing everything it can to kill the bill and preserve the status quo.  We need your help – right now – to build support. 

    Currently, 65% of harmful air pollution in California comes from transportation. In 2009, idling and traffic delays in California led to the burning of 682 million gallons of excess gasoline, contributing significantly to local air and greenhouse gas pollution. Improving our transportation systems means more, better transportation choices, which means fewer people in cars and reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Take action to support online voter registration!

    Online voter registration is key to removing barriers to casting a ballot and allowing hundreds of thousands of new voters to exercise their fundamental democratic rights at the polls.

    That’s why the California League of Conservation Voters, California Common Cause, and Democracy for America are teaming up to support Senate Bill 397 which will allow Californians to safely and securely register to vote online.

    SB 397 has passed the Legislature and only needs Governor Brown's signature to become law. Please add your name to our letter below and support expanding access to the ballot box!*

  • Gov. Brown: Implement SB 2X without delay

    We achieved another major victory for our environment when Senate Bill 2X was passed and signed into law, putting California on a path toward acquiring 33% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

    Help us keep up the momentum: Add your name to our letter below to thank Gov. Brown for his continued support of renewable energy and to urge him to implement SB 2X without delay.

  • Keep Our State Parks Open

    VICTORY!

    Thanks in part to all of the actions from CLCV members, Governor Brown signed the state parks bill into law on October 4, 2011. Visit our action center to find other issues to take action now.

    Nonprofits are now allowed to help maintain park accessibility

    California state parks have suffered from neglect for years due to funding shortfalls. The lack of secure and adequate funds has led to partial park closures, reduced public access, and extensive deferred maintenance.

    While continued budget challenges will likely create additional pressure to close many of our state parks, public/private partnerships are one tool which can help the state keep some parks open that would otherwise have their gates shut.

    Assembly Bill 42 (Huffman) allows the Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) to enter agreements for the operation, improvement, restoration, maintenance, or administration of state parks with nonprofit organizations.

  • Ban the Foam

    Styrofoam Takeout Containers Need to Go

    Polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, is toxic and has a knack for getting into lots of places. Even in you and me. In fact, according to the US EPA, 100% of Americans have styrene in their bodies.

    Senate Bill 568 will reduce the persistence of styrene by banning food vendors from using Styrofoam containers.

    From cradle to grave, Styrofoam finds its way into us and our environment. During manufacturing, toxic pentane and styrene are released into air and water. Once in use as to-go containers, styrene leaches from packaging into food and beverages.  And, at the end of its lifecycle, Styrofoam continues to wreck havoc becoming one of the most abundant forms of litter. 

  • Take Action: Help Solve California's Transit Crisis

    Note: Governor Brown vetoed this bill; stay tuned for ways to take action on transit in 2012. Visit our action center to find other issues to take action now.

    Public transit is key to meeting California's greenhouse gas reduction and air quality goals.  In fact, a single person can reduce her greenhouse gas emissions by 4,400 pounds annually and cut production of deadly air pollutants by 90% if she takes public transport instead of driving alone. It also saves users money, raises the value of nearby real estate, and creates jobs.

    In spite of these obvious benefits, funding for maintaining and expanding transit services has been cut — even as demand grows.

    Assembly Bill 650 (Blumenfield) will identify solutions to improve buses, light rail, and other public transit options throughout California.


  • Take Action: Help Solve California's Transit Crisis

    Note: Governor Brown vetoed this bill; stay tuned for ways to take action on transit in 2012. Visit our action center to find other issues to take action now.

    Public transit is key to meeting California's greenhouse gas reduction and air quality goals.  In fact, a single person can reduce her greenhouse gas emissions by 4,400 pounds annually and cut production of deadly air pollutants by 90% if she takes public transport instead of driving alone. It also saves users money, raises the value of nearby real estate, and creates jobs.

    In spite of these obvious benefits, funding for maintaining and expanding transit services has been cut — even as demand grows.

    Assembly Bill 650 (Blumenfield) will identify solutions to improve buses, light rail, and other public transit options throughout California.

  • Sharks Under Attack

    VICTORY!

    Governor Brown signed the ban on shark fins into law on October 7, 2011. Thanks to the thousands of CLCV members who contacted their representatives and the governor in support of the bill!  

    Visit our action center to find other issues to take action now.

  • What the Frack Is Getting into Our Water?!

    Require the fossil fuel industry to disclose the toxic chemicals used in extraction

    Note: this bill is now a two-year bill; stay tuned for ways to take action on fracking in 2012. Find out more ways to take action now.

    Here’s a cocktail for you – take water and add formaldehyde, methanol, toluene, benzene, hydrochloric acid, and diesel fuel.  And that’s just a short list of possibilities.

    In a controversial and dangerous practice called hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking"), oil and gas is extracted from the ground by injecting water, sand, and a mix of chemicals at high pressure. These toxic concoctions can contain a litany of harmful chemicals, but the industry doesn’t have to disclose which chemicals they use.

    California's water is threatened by toxic, carcinogenic chemicals – and we don't even know what they are. Assembly Bill 591 (Wieckowski) would change that, and set the strongest standards in the nation for fracking chemical disclosure.

  • Safe, clean water is a human right

    VICTORY!

    Governor Brown signed the Human Right to Water bills into law on October 7, 2011. Thanks to CLCV members who contacted their representatives and the governor in support of the bill!  

    Visit our action center to find other issues to take action now.

  • Help Communities Prepare for Climate Change

    Note: this bill is now a two-year bill; stay tuned for ways to take action on climate change in 2012. Find out more ways to take action now.

    In 2006 Californians celebrated the passage of the first comprehensive climate change law in the nation, the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32).  One of the goals of AB 32 is to ensure that low-income and minority communities are strengthened by efforts to tackle the climate crisis.  Unfortunately, the California Air Resources Board has yet to act on this promise. SB 535 (De León) fills in this gap by creating a Communities Healthy Air Revitalization Trust to direct a portion of the revenues generated from AB 32 to help Californians who are least able to confront the expected effects of the climate crisis at a local level.

    As California works to solve our climate crisis, we must invest in the neighborhoods that have suffered the most and will struggle the most.  Without requiring new revenue, SB 535 will accomplish this.


  • Tell your state senator to vote to remove toxic flame retardants from children's products

    The California legislature is considering the Consumer Choice Fire Safety Act (SB 147), which would protect California’s children from unnecessary exposure to dangerous chemicals. The bill is scheduled to be debated by a Senate committee this Monday, April 25th.

    This common-sense bill corrects an outdated flammability standard that has led to the over-use of toxic flame retardants in consumer products throughout California. The current standard requires the foam in baby products and furniture to resist an open flame for twelve seconds, leading to the use of millions of pounds of fire retardant chemicals annually.

    The result? California children now have the highest levels of flame retardants in their bodies than anywhere else in the nation. The risks to children’s health don’t outweigh the benefits. The truth is that the widespread use of these chemicals has not been proven to prevent a single death from fire.

    Take Action: Send a message urging your state senator, who is a member of the committee, to vote "Yes" for SB 147.

  • Tell Senator Blakeslee: Don’t hold the environment hostage in budget negotiations

    As you may know, your State Senator Sam Blakeslee is one of the "Gang of 5" lawmakers who are negotiating behind closed doors with Governor Jerry Brown over his state budget proposal—and gutting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is one of their demands. Their scheme would not only sharply limit the rights of California citizens and local government agencies to enforce critical environmental protections, but would also fail to solve California’s current budget crisis.

    California voters, our communities, our health and our environment deserve better. The budget votes are ongoing, and your action is needed today!

    Take action today: Tell Senator Blakeslee to say NO to a secret deal to gut CEQA in exchange for his vote on the state budget.

  • AB 1319: Reduce Exposure to Toxins

    Baby products are no place for toxic chemicals

    Dangerous and deadly exposure to toxic chemicals from everyday products continues to create headlines and scares. Premature deaths, developmental defects, and cancer are just a few of the problems that arise from contact with toxins. California has the opportunity to regulate one of the most notorious chemicals: bisphenol A (BPA). The Toxics-Free Infants & Toddlers Act, Assembly Bill 1319 (Butler), bans the use of BPA in children’s feeding containers. AB 1319 works closely with California's Green Chemistry Initiative and gives it authority to take action on BPA once the Green Chemistry program is up and running.

    We need to take the next steps to protect children from the dangers that this chemical poses.  By passing this law in California, we’ll help protect children around the country, thanks to the fact that Californians represent such a large market that manufacturers tend to conform their production standards to ours.

    Take action today:

    AB 1319 has passed both the Assembly and the State Senate.  Please ask Governor Brown to put children's health first by signing AB 1319 into law today.

  • Stop CEQA from being used as "ransom" in budget negotiations

    Five Republican state Senators have announced that they will not vote for the proposed state budget unless the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is gutted. Their proposal would sharply limit the rights of California citizens and local government agencies to enforce critical environmental protections.

    CEQA is one of the best tools available to Californians to protect their local environment. The law keeps major land use decisions at the local level where the impacts are the greatest. Governor Jerry Brown should reject any effort to use the closed-door budget process to extract major concessions to the public health, safety and environmental safeguards in CEQA.

    Take action today: Urge the Governor to reject the Republican’s proposal to gut CEQA

  • Urge state legislators to put the governor’s budget proposal to a vote of the people
    Build a Greener California

    California's budget deficit and continuing economic issues threaten the state’s ability to ensure clean air and clean water, keep state parks open, enforce conservation laws, and provide public transit. Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget would address the $25 billion shortfall and put the state on a path to fiscal stability, through a mix of cuts and tax extensions.

    If Governor Brown’s revenue-generating measures are not put on the ballot and passed by California voters, state leaders will need to find an additional $12 billion in cuts, which could mean closure of all of the state parks and further reductions in public transit service, as well as devastating cuts to schools, universities, and health care.

    Take action today: urge your legislators to approve Governor Brown's revenue-generating proposals.

  • Increase Clean Energy for California - Call Your Assemblymember

    More renewable energy means cleaner air and a boost to the economy

    California has a wealth of sources of renewable energy—solar, wind, and geothermal—and all are underutilized. If our state wants to get serious about addressing air pollution and climate change, we cannot continue to rely on dirty, fossil fuel-based energy. It’s time for California to increase its use of clean, renewable sources of electricity. Senate Bill (SB) 2X (Simitian, Kehoe, Steinberg) will provide strong enforcement provisions that puts utilities on a path to 33% renewable energy by 2020. The mandates set by SB 2X will result in a reduction of global warming pollution from natural gas, oil, and coal power plants, and in improved air quality for California’s families.

    SB 2X will likely be voted on by the California Assembly later this week. The best way to ensure passage is by calling your assemblymember to urge him/her to support SB 2X.

    Take action today: Call your assemblymember to urge him/her to support SB 2X

  • Take Action! Did your representatives vote to protect the environment?

    2010 California Environmental Scorecard2011 Scores are coming out soon!  Stay tuned.

    The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) – the political arm of the California environmental movement – has released its 37th annual California Environmental Scorecard. The record of the year’s most important environmental votes reveals how the governor and members of the state legislature performed on the environment in the 2010 legislative session.

    How did your legislator perform on the environmental community’s priority bills to protect the environment and public health? Learn your legislators’ scores and then let them know what you think!

  • Take Action! Did your representatives vote to protect the environment?

    2010 California Environmental Scorecard

    2011 Scores are coming out soon!  Stay tuned.

    The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) – the political arm of the California environmental movement – has released its 37th annual California Environmental Scorecard. The record of the year’s most important environmental votes reveals how the governor and members of the state legislature performed on the environment in the 2010 legislative session.

    How did your legislator perform on the environmental community’s priority bills to protect the environment and public health? Learn your legislators’ scores and then let them know what you think!

  • Action Alert: Defend the Environmental Protection Agency!

    Defend the Environmental Protection Agency!

    The Environmental Protection Agency is under attack.

    House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act - H.R. 910. Senator James Inhofe introduced the Senate version of the bill.

    Their proposals would cripple the EPA’s ability to enforce common sense safeguards that protect public health and hold polluters accountable.

    Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is moving forward with the only national effort to address climate change.  The agency has set guidelines that call for attainable state reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.  Reducing CO2 emissions is a critical step towards tackling global warming, as well as improving air quality and public health. Upton’s and Inhofe’s bills threaten the public’s health and would stop our nation’s progress on climate change. Update: the Upton bill passed the House of Representatives, so the Senate version must be stopped.

    Urge Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to reject H.R. 910.

  • Increase Clean Energy for California

    More renewable energy means cleaner air and a boost to the economy

    California has a wealth of sources of renewable energy—solar, wind, and geothermal—and all are underutilized. If our state wants to get serious about addressing air pollution and climate change, we cannot continue to rely on dirty, fossil fuel-based energy. It’s time for California to increase its use of clean, renewable sources of electricity. Senate Bill (SB) 2X (Simitian, Kehoe, Steinberg) will provide strong enforcement provisions that puts utilities on a path to 33% renewable energy by 2020. The mandates set by SB 2X will result in a reduction of global warming pollution from natural gas, oil, and coal power plants, and in improved air quality for California’s families.

    Setting the goal of a 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by the year 2020 will send a clear market signal to developers, investors, and planners that California is serious about investing in renewable energy. This goal is aligned with Governor Jerry Brown’s vision for a clean energy future. His plan calls for “20,000 megawatts in renewable energy as well as key investments in innovative efficiency technology by 2020, which will create close to half a million jobs.”

    Take action today: Urge your assemblymember to support SB 2X.

  • Action Alert: Stop the Attack on the Clean Air Act

    Help the national effort to stop climate change

    Big Oil and Big Coal—along with other industries—are doing everything that they can to fight limits on pollution.  We saw it this with Prop 23 on the November ballot. Texas oil companies tried to trick Californian voters into killing our state’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act.  Nearly 2/3 of the voters said “Hell No!” to their deceitful proposition, but now Big Oil has moved on to attack the federal Clean Air Act.  We need to stand up once again for public health and a clean environment, this time asking Congress to support the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its authority to enforce the Clean Air Act.

    Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is moving forward with the only national effort to address climate change.  The agency has set guidelines that call for reachable state reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.  Reducing CO2emissions is a critical step towards tackling global warming, as well as improving air quality and public health.

    In 1990, politicians crossed the aisle to show their support for healthy environments in which citizens could thrive by amending the Clean Air Act to allow for better enforcement.  Representatives from both major parties voted in support of giving the EPA the power to take action under the Clean Air Act, and then-President George H.W. Bush signed those changes into law.  If politicians could put party affiliations aside then to allow the EPA to use the Clean Air Act to regulate acid rain, toxic air pollution, urban air quality, and more, we cannot let current party politics get in the way of the EPA’s ability to regulate a major air pollutant and one of the main global warming contributors – CO2.

    The U.S. is the second biggest contributor to global warming pollution and the world cannot wait any longer for us to take action.  The newly-elected Congress will certainly prove challenging on moving forward on this issue.  That means that allowing the EPA to continue on its path to mandate CO2 reductions is the only viable option for national action.

    Take action now: contact your Congressperson.

  • Fortify California’s Premier Environmental Law

    Stop Attempts to Roll Back CEQA

    Build a Greener CaliforniaCalifornia’s cornerstone environmental protection law is celebrating more than 40 years of empowering Californians to protect and better their quality of life. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) enables us to safeguard our urban environment, conserve our natural treasures and farmland, and more. CEQA does this by providing a critical framework for government accountability and public participation. CEQA inspires Californians to protect this great state and stand up to the powerful forces driving environmental devastation. Every year, though, there are more and more legislative attempts to weaken CEQA and make it less effective.

    The concept behind CEQA is simple. Careful, public consideration of the impact of a proposed project is necessary to protect our communities and the environment. If a fair argument can be made that a project may have a significant effect on the environment, CEQA requires the consideration of alternatives as well as mitigation of adverse effects to the extent feasible.

    As noted by Bill Lockyer, former California Attorney General:

    “CEQA’s purpose is its genius—to foster transparency and integrity in public decision making while forcing consideration of the full scope the impacts development activities have on our natural and human environments.”

    CEQA is the tool that enables us to ensure that future generations inherit a California that is cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant. Victories and projects that were improved thanks to the processes put in place by CEQA are numerous.

    Take action now:

  • All used up and no place to go: SB 1100

    Encourage responsible handling of household batteries

    Because they contain toxic substances like cadmium and lead, household batteries are banned from solid waste landfills in California. That’s good news for the environment. However, it can be difficult for consumers to find a place to recycle used batteries.

    Senate Bill 1100 (Corbett) will require battery manufacturers to create and institute stewardship plans to deal with the end of life for their products.

    More than 500 million batteries are sold each year in California and that number is expected to rise. While current law requires retailers to take back rechargeable batteries, non-rechargeable batteries account for 80 percent of batteries sold in California. Unsurprisingly, estimates show that only one out of every 200 used batteries is properly recycled through household hazardous waste programs.

    The solution is stewardship through an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. SB 1100 will require battery manufacturers to:

    • design, fund and operate a stewardship program to properly manage batteries;
    • meet collection goals each year; and
    • report collection data to the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery.

    Take action now: