Focus

With California entering the third year of severe drought, federal officials said Wednesday they won’t deliver water to farmers in the state’s major agricultural region. The federal government operates the Central Valley Project, which is one of two primary water systems the state relies on for agriculture and drinking water, among other uses. The other system is run by the state government. Farmers started last year with a 5% allocation from the federal government’s Central Valley Project, but ended at 0% as the drought intensified. This year, the federal government is starting farmers with a 0% allocation while water for other purposes, including drinking, environmental, and industrial uses, is at 25%.

News

Tesla and EPA reach a settlement over Clean Air Act violations

CNBC – February 22

Tesla has reached a $275,000 settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company’s vehicle assembly plant in Fremont. According to EPA, Tesla violated the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Surface Coating of Automobiles from October 2016 through September 2019 at that plant. According to EPA’s announcement, Tesla also allegedly neglected to measure emissions from its coating operations and failed to collect and retain legally required records associated with its hazardous air pollutants emission rates.

California adopts first-in-nation microplastics reduction policy

The Hill – February 23

California on Wednesday became the first state to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the reduction of microplastics. According to the California Ocean Protection Council, an advisory body within the California Natural Resources Agency that approved the policy, the Statewide Microplastics Strategy identifies preventative actions and research priorities that the state can take to help curb microplastics along its coast. The strategy includes pollution prevention tools, such as the implementation of a statewide requirement to provide single-use utensils and condiments upon request only. The council will also set scientific goals to inform future state actions, including standardizing a statewide microplastics monitoring system and studying the impacts of microplastics on aquatic life and human health.

Biden voices support for new U.S. mines

Reuters – February 22

President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted progress by government and private industry to boost American production of minerals used to make electric vehicles and other renewable energy products, but he stressed that new mines must benefit host communities and not damage the environment. To address environmental concerns, the White House said it would form a committee to recommend changes to the federal 1872 mining law, which has governed hard rock mining across much of the United States since the 19th century. Biden also announced a series of measures to support private investments in the field, including a $35 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to MP Materials Inc. to process rare earth minerals at a facility in California.

California won't immediately change pollution credit program

The San Diego Union-Tribune – February 23

Officials in California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration said Wednesday they won’t make immediate changes to California’s cap-and-trade program despite concerns the program won’t be able to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program requires companies that emit carbon to buy allowances equivalent to what they plan to emit. Over time, fewer allowances are made available with the goal of spurring companies to emit less carbon. But a recent report by a panel that advises state lawmakers found companies have saved up so many pollution credits for later use that the program could be rendered ineffective. The report’s authors, environmental advocates, and some lawmakers have urged the California Air Resources Board to do a thorough analysis of the risks posed by the saved allowances.