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The article informs that the California Governor Jerry Brown has passed a budget bill, which provides a permanent source of funding beginning in fiscal year 2015-2016 for natural resources, low-carbon transit and clean energy projects.

The article reports on the need to establish the stormwater capture policies in California in order to address the water supply and environmental issues in the country, according to Mark Gold, associate director at the University of California in Los Angeles.

The article reports that on January 18, 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown has drawn an agenda for 2012 including an obligation to continue renewable energy mandate, landmark climate policies of the state, and other environment-related initiatives.

The article offers information on the regulations adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for a multi-sector greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade program. It is mentioned that the program is expected to start in 2012 and the CARB may make changes in the regulation after its adoption. It is also mentioned that in the first phase of the program, sectors such as cement operations, electricity generators and importers and refineries will be selected for the monitoring of emissions.

The article reports on the move of the air quality officials to implement rules for a multi-sector greenhouse gas emissions trading program in California. The greenhouse gas emission program was approved by the Air Resources Board on December 16, 2010 and intended to oversee carbon trading system in the state. It notes that the program targets 600 major sources of greenhouse gases and establishes statewide limit on the sources responsible of the emissions.

The article reports on the adoption of new rules by the State Water Resources Control Board of California to utilize the coastal and estuarine waters for power plant cooling water intake systems.

The article discusses that speakers at the second listening sessions of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have encouraged the agency to look at California as a model for implementing stormwater regulatory and permitting requirements. EPA conducts listening session for modification of stormwater management standard. California Stormwater Quality Association director Geoff Brosseau notes that California has regulatory level that can be integrated on a national scale.

The article reports that majority of facilities in California have complied with the greenhouse gases reporting requirements in their 2008 emissions report. It states that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has said that 591 out of 605 facilities have filed the emission data. It adds that CARB has already accredited 101 individual verifiers and 17 businesses to conduct the verification of the greenhouse gases emissions data.

The article focuses on the responsibilities of pollution sources for multiple emissions reporting requirements in California. It mentions the move of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to close the comment period on its proposed emissions reporting requirements. Moreover, Stanley Young of the California Air Resources Board, states that EPA's proposed requirements will capture many fugitive.

The article reports on the launching of "The Bay vs. the Bag" campaign of the environmental group Save the Bay in California. The campaign was launched to encourage people to support the 25-cent fee on paper and plastic bags distributed by major drugstores and supermarkets in the state. However, industry groups have planned to file a suit to block plastic bag ordinances.

The article presents the case BNSF Railway Co. v. California. According to the court's decision, costs spent on identifying a contaminated site's potentially responsible parties are recoverable under the superfund law. BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad Co. were not able to show their identification costs. The court held that the identification costs were litigation expenses not recoverable under Key Tronic Corp.

The article reports that California's Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the legislation regarding spill prevention and response. The legislation was signed on September 29, 2008 to improve the capacity of the state to handle penalties, safety measures and proper response on both inland and coastal oil spill, and environmental protection. According Schwarzenegger, the act will help to preserve California's coastline and waterways for future generations.

The article reports on the California Air Resources Board's issuance of a regulation requiring all 2009 model year passenger cars and sport utility vehicles to come with window stickers that rank the environmental performances of the vehicles. The measure calls for labels that will help consumers understand the air pollution and global warming impacts of vehicles.

The article reports on the documents released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on February 29, 2008, which gives formal notice it is denying California a waiver to implement its own limits on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles. Stephen L. Johnson, administrator of EPA, explains that the California standards are not needed to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions as required under Section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act. Environmental groups such as the Clean Air Watch criticized the EPA over such claims.

The article offers information on the report "California Green Chemistry Initiative Phase 1: A Compilation of Options," which outlines policy ideas for a comprehensive green chemistry strategy, released by state officials on January 31, 2008. It says the compilation of options completes the initial phase of a project introduced to reduce the effects of toxic chemicals on the environment and public health in 2007. It notes that the state has enacted new measures to address growing concern about such chemicals in several products, including pesticides.

The article reports on a lawsuit filed by California and other states on January 2, 2008 to reverse U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision on December 19, 2007. The EPA reporteldy denied the request of California and other states for a Clean Air Act preemption waiver on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Arguments for and against the EPA decision are offered.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny the request of California for a Clean Air Act waiver. The waiver would have allowed the state to enforce its regulations to control greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson said the administration will focus on implementing new fuel economy standard included in energy legislation.

The article reports on the rule signed by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen which would establish a standard for perchlorate in drinking water of 6 parts per billion (ppb) starting October 19, 2007. Perchlorate, which is used in air bags, fireworks, military munitions, rocket fuel, and other explosives, has leached into groundwater supplies across the U.S. Under the new California regulations, water providers must notify customers if their water supplies exceed the 6-ppb standard.

The article reports on a California appeals court ruling in Aerojet-General v. Commercial Union Insurance which held that an excess liability insurer has no duty to indemnify a policyholder for the cost of settling a superfund action absent a court order. Several water suppliers sued Aerojet in 2000 and 2001, alleging its facility released hazardous substances into the area's groundwater. Aerojet sued several of its excess insurance carriers, including the Commercial Union, alleging that it had a duty to indemnify Aerojet under its excess policies.

The article reports that Maureen Gorsen, director of California Department of Toxic Substances Control, has asked academics, industry, nongovernmental groups, and other interested parties for feedback on the state's newly launched green chemistry initiative. Green chemistry are those chemical manufacturing processes that are less toxic, generate less waste, and have other environmental benefits.

The article reports that U.S. Department of Transportation staff contacted congressional representatives of states that are partly dependent on the automobile industry to pressure the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to block California's clean vehicle rules. They urged congressional offices to submit comments to EPA and reach out to their respective governors saying the California rules could greatly impact the automobile facilities within their district.

The article reports on a statement by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson regarding his ruling on California's clean vehicle regulation. According to Johnson, a schedule that provides for a decision on the petition by the end of 2007 is both responsible and expeditious. Johnson promised to provide the timetable to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after the governor threatened to accelerate a lawsuit aimed at forcing EPA to issue the waiver.

The article reports on California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's call for a state greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme which is compatible with the European Union's (EU) program. According to Linda Adams, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, the governor asked them to design a market that can be linked to the emissions market of EU as well as other trading programs. The state of California wants the proposed trading scheme to be a model for the rest of the U.S., adds Adams.

The article reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to promote the use of alternative transportation fuels, which takes effect on January 1, 2006. Under the policy, the state air quality and energy officials must devise a strategy to maximize development of alternative transportation fuels. Other energy and environment legislation signed by the governor include A.B. 515, A.B. 728, A.B. 1317 and A.B. 1576.

Reports on the rejection of the State Water Resources Control Board of California on the plan to reduce mercury levels in San Francisco Bay. Reasons for rejecting the plan; Source of the mercury in the bay; Plans of state official for the long-term strategy to address the water pollution.

Presents news briefs on environmental protection efforts in U.S. states as of August 2005. Discussion of the issue of inspection and monitoring requirements in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for industrial storm water at a clean water summit held in California; Intention of the Washington Department of Ecology to change rules on underground injection wells.

Reports on regulations approved by the California Air Resources Board in February 2005 mandating transient agencies to reduce harmful emissions from the small- and medium-size buses in their fleets. Deadline of the reduction of the emissions; Ways to achieve lower emission standards.

Reports on the decision of Maine's Board of Environmental Protection to approve a proposal to require automakers to meet California's zero emission vehicle requirements for sale in the state beginning in 2009. Scope of the proposed regulation.

Provides information on the rule adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on September 24, 2004 to limit vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Criticism faced by the rule during a public hearing; Benefits of the rule to the state's environment; Result of a Sierra Research report on technical findings and cost estimates of CARB.

Presents the results of the report "Above the Law: How California's Major Air Polluters Get Away With It," conducted by Environmental Working Group (EWG) released on July 29, 2004. Coverage of the report; Average amount of penalties brought against industrial facilities; Proposal of EWG for an across-the-board increase in penalties.

Reports on the recommendation for the elimination of several environment-related boards and commissions in California by the task force formed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in August 2004. Reason behind the recommendation of the task force; Plan for the California Environmental Protection Agency and its six agencies; Information on the division of the department.

Presents news briefs concerning environmental regulations in California and Virginia as of January 19, 2004. Failure of regional and state water quality officials to consider economic factors when they established a zero-level pollution limit for trash in the Los Angeles river; Availability of data concerning the presence of toxic contaminants in fish tissue and sediments found in river basins from the U.S. Department of Environmental Quality.

Presents news briefs on environmental compliance in Arizona, California and Oregon as of November 2003. Withdrawal of the federal water quality criteria for nutrients in Arizona and nickel and copper in San Francisco Bay in California; Proposal of the Oregon Department of Environment Quality to amend its procedures under the Clean Water Act.

Focuses on two environmental measures signed by California Governor Gray Davis which prohibit local air districts from implementing recent revisions to the federal Clean Air Act review program and repealing the agricultural industry's exemption to the air acts's requirement for operating permits. Specifications of the bill; Exemption under the bill.