Focus
Governor Newsom moves to ban hydraulic fracturing by 2024
NPR – April 23
Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans last Friday to ban hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, by 2024 as part of a longer-term aim to end all oil extraction in the state. The governor ordered the Department of Conservations Geologic Energy Management division to commence the rulemaking process for adoption of regulations forbidding issuance of new fracking permits by 2024. He also directed the Air Resources Board to consider ways to phase out oil extraction in California completely by 2045. Newsom's order follows a more aggressive plan to ban oil and gas production that died in the state Senate last week.
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News
Massive DDT dump site off L.A. coast much bigger than scientists expected
Los Angeles Times – April 26
According to findings reported in a Congressional briefing on Monday, researchers hoping to document for the first time just how many corroded DDT containers litter the seafloor off the coast of Los Angeles were quickly overwhelmed and could find no end to the dumping ground. Based on computer-generated analysis, they were finally able to identify at least 27,000 barrel-sized anomalies — and more than 100,000 total debris objects on the seafloor, in an area larger than San Francisco. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), who led the briefings, said she plans to ask the U.S. Justice Department to investigate companies that may have illegally dumped waste into the ocean and determine whether they can be held accountable.
EPA plans to reinstate California’s ability to regulate vehicle emissions
San Francisco Chronicle – April 26
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday that it is planning to reinstate California’s authority to regulate vehicle emissions, a move that, combined with actions taken last week by the Transportation Department, will return to the state a powerful tool to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Under former President Donald Trump, U.S. regulators determined that California did not have the authority to implement more stringent limitations on automobile emissions than those imposed by the federal government. The transportation sector generates the nation’s largest share of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, about 29% in 2019, according to the EPA.
Nestle told to stop spring water diversions in San Bernardino Forest
The Orange County Register – April 23
California’s Water Resources Control Board last Friday issued a draft cease and desist order to Nestle to stop unauthorized natural spring water diversions in the San Bernardino Forest after a probe revealed multiple violations and depletion of resources. The action comes as the state ramps up efforts to preserve water resources amid worsening drought conditions. If the draft order is adopted, the company may be asked to limit diversions from surface streams to levels consistent with its pre-1914 water rights and submit annual monitoring reports, among other steps.
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