State funding could come from other sources, as the Prop. 6 supporters say. But if it doesn’t, it appears unlikely the city will have the funding to cover these projects, given that its general fund is already fully committed to departments like parks and public safety. … [Read more...] about Prop. 6 promises to save money at the pump, but what does it do to local road projects?
American road and transportation builders association
Energy and Environmental Law Update – Week of August 5, 2013
The appropriations debate will extend into September and likely beyond the start date for the new fiscal year. Congress failed last week to finalize the Transportation and Housing and Development Appropriations bill, and remaining bills are at various stages in the process. The House Appropriations Committee will wait until September to finish marking up its version of the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. Before the committee recessed on July 31 in the middle of its markup, it approved 27-20 an amendment from Representative John Culberson (R-TX) to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing rules relying on the administration’s recently released social cost of carbon calculation. With the October 1 deadline looming, most believe that a continuing resolution will be required as the House and Senate hammer out the appropriations bills. … [Read more...] about Energy and Environmental Law Update – Week of August 5, 2013
Energy and Environment Update – August 12, 2012
Tougher RGGI Standards UrgedA coalition of 300 environmental groups and other organizations delivered letters August 9 to nine governors in the Northeast urging them to strengthen limits for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and take other steps to improve the cap and trade program. The coalition is urging RGGI governors to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent below current levels by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 and to ensure that auction revenues are used only for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. RGGI is undertaking a comprehensive review and is expected to make changes to the program design by the end of the year; the key item under consideration is whether the emissions cap should be lowered. … [Read more...] about Energy and Environment Update – August 12, 2012
Energy and Environmental Law Update – September 16, 2013
CA Fracking Bill Passes LegislatureSB 4, a bill to require permits for fracking as well as public disclosure of fracking fluid, passed the California Assembly on September 1, with the Senate passing the bill later that day. Prior to Senate approval, a spokesperson for Governor Jerry Brown (D) said that he plans to sign the bill if it passes the Senate again. The Senate approved the measure in May but had to vote on it again because added amendments streamlined the permitting process. Several environmental groups have withdrawn support of the bill because of the amendments. … [Read more...] about Energy and Environmental Law Update – September 16, 2013
Energy & Environment Law Update – January 8, 2013
CA Clean Cars ProgramThe Environmental Protection Agency granted California a Clean Air Act waiver December 27 allowing the state to set new standards to control emissions for passenger vehicles through 2025. The Advanced Clean Cars Program includes regulations to phase in stricter fleet average standards for 2015-2025 model year cars and light-duty trucks to further reduce NOx and hydrocarbon emissions, increase engine durability requirements from 120,000 miles to 150,000 miles, and impose new particulate emissions standards on gasoline-powered vehicles. The state also set new emissions limits for 2017-2025 model year cars and light-duty trucks. The standards will reduce vehicular emissions by 75 percent from 2014 levels and put an estimated 1.4 million zero-emission vehicles on the road. … [Read more...] about Energy & Environment Law Update – January 8, 2013
