Limited water supply, restrictions on use, and higher costs may be in store for next year if the state’s drought conditions persist. This year has been critically dry and hot for California, resulting in déjà vu as the...more
The Oregon legislature is once again considering potentially far-reaching climate change legislation. But unlike prior years, Oregon agencies are not waiting to see what happens this session....more
n an earlier post, we commented on the initial plans of various Oregon state agencies to implement Governor Brown's Executive Order No. 20-04 (EO 20-04) to reduce and regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Much has happened...more
Save the planet and feed the children? No, these are not the aspirations of a beauty contestant but the objective of legislation that was passed in the Golden State. In 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law SB 1383....more
In her March 10, 2020 Executive Order 20-04, Governor Kate Brown directed 10 state agencies to report by May 15, 2020 on “proposed actions within their statutory authority to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions and mitigate...more
Focus - U.S. Supreme Court declines appeal in California beach access suit over Martins Beach - REUTERS - Oct 1 The U.S. Supreme Court handed a victory to proponents of open access to California’s coastline on Monday,...more
By now you may have heard that Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (SB 100) into law and issued Executive Order B-55-18 to Achieve Carbon Neutrality (“Executive Order”). Taken together,...more
Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 100 into law on Monday, setting in place a 100% renewable electricity target for California by 2045. The law, which we discussed in our prior blog post, calls for a state-wide renewable...more
Earlier this week, the California Assembly took aggressive steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions as legislators voted to require that 100 percent of the state’s electricity come from carbon-free sources by 2045. If signed...more
California has taken a significant step in aligning its procurement expenditures with its vanguard climate change policy. On October 15, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed A.B. 262, the Buy Clean California Act (Chapter 816,...more
On July 25, 2017, California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation extending the state’s cap-and-trade program through 2030. The signing ceremony for Assembly Bill (AB) 398 included former California Governor Arnold...more
AB 398 passed in both the California State Senate and Assembly with a two-thirds majority of bipartisan lawmakers. It received support from businesses and environmental advocates alike. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill...more
In light of President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, Stoel Rives attorneys Tim McMahan and Drew Moratzka provide their insights into what the decision may mean for states, local...more
$900 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2016-17 - With California’s cap and trade program suffering from legal challenges, decreasing auction revenue and general criticism of the program’s effectiveness, Gov....more
California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law last week two controversial anti-climate change bills that will tighten greenhouse gas (GHG) limits by 40% and increase legislative supervision of the California Air Resources...more
On September 8, California's Governor Brown signed companion bills from the Senate and Assembly, Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) and Assembly Bill 197 (AB 197), continuing California on a path to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions –...more
Gov. Brown Expected to Sign Laws that Will Have CEQA Implications - In the final days of its session, the California Legislature passed two climate change bills that expand existing laws aimed at reducing statewide...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Governor Brown and lawmakers reach deal for California climate funds - San Diego Union-Tribune - Aug 31 - California lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $900 million spending...more
Last week, the California Legislature voted to extend the state's ambitious climate change targets while simultaneously pushing a reform bill covering the California Air Resources Board (ARB). Senate Bill 32 (SB 32)...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Lawmakers and Governor Brown claim major victory on climate change bills - Sacramento Bee - Aug 24 - California lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a pair of bills to sustain the...more
As we enter the fall season, substantial portions of California and the Pacific Northwest are experiencing extreme to exceptional drought conditions. While conditions are better in Texas and other nearby states this year,...more
Two out of three ain’t bad. Climate change policy advocates may find themselves quoting Meat Loaf with the enactment of Senate Bill (SB) 350, which California’s Legislature passed last month and which Governor Jerry...more
Energy and Climate Debate - Congress is in recess this week for the Columbus Day holiday, but will return next week with full schedules in both chambers. The House will focus heavily on the leadership race to...more
Law Sets Standards Aimed at Addressing Climate Change - Today, Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 350 into law, setting two ambitious climate change-related goals: a 50 percent increase in building energy efficiency, and a...more
Renewable Energy Focus: Governor Brown signs climate-change bill that calls for more renewable energy and energy efficiency: OC Register - Oct 7: California Governor Jerry Brown has signed SB350, an ambitious bill...more