News & Commentary

California’s Entanglement Regulations: The Stronger the Better

May 16, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Francine Kershaw

To protect endangered whales and sea turtles from entanglements in California, several regulatory improvements are necessary.

Offshore Wind Plan Propels California’s Clean Energy Future

May 16, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaLara Ettenson, Lauren Kubiak

Offshore wind is a crucial part of California’s transition to a clean energy future, bringing significant benefits like cleaner air and economic opportunities.

New Rule Ups Big Oil’s Financial Responsibility for Offshore Clean-up

April 24, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaRebecca Loomis

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s new rule takes a meaningful step towards holding industry accountable for the true costs of oil and gas drilling. 

Kern County’s Self Imposed Deja-vu

March 8, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander

Kern County's violations of environmental law result in a second courtroom defeat for its industry-friendly oil drilling ordinance. 

California Funds Major Expansion of Pop-Up Fishing Gear Library

February 29, 2024 Expert BlogCalifornia, WestDr. Francine Kershaw

State funding for an expanded library of pop-up fishing gear will dramatically increase access for fishers and support critical testing efforts.

State Funding Urgently Needed to Support Pop-Up Testing in California

February 24, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Francine Kershaw

Twenty fishers waiting to test pop-up gear to reduce entanglements in the commercial California Dungeness crab fishery risk being overlooked by state funders.

New Analysis Shows Widespread PFAS Contamination of Tap Water in CA

February 21, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Anna Reade

Estimate of Californians with PFAS in drinking water jumps to 25 million—highlights need for proposed bill SB 903 to end unnecessary use of forever chemicals.

Congress Responds to the Biden Administration’s Commonsense LNG Decision

February 15, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, International, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, TexasAlexandra Adams

Not long after the administration’s pause on permits, the fossil fuel industry—and its supporters in Congress—pulled out all the stops to oppose the decision and spread misinformation. 

Adaptive Management Should Anchor California’s Ocean Conservation Goals

February 12, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaRobert Vergara

A prime opportunity to bolster California's MPA network is close at hand. State decision makers should move to ambitiously conserve our state's vulnerable seascape.

Now Is the Time to Go All In on California Water Reuse

December 20, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDr. Mark Gold

The state now has the country’s most robust, comprehensive water reuse regulations—and it must commit to investing in water reuse facilities for a more climate-resilient future.

Risky Realities—Recognizing the Harms of Global LNG Expansion

December 4, 2023 Expert BlogInternational, United States, Africa, MexicoJamie Lee, Mima Holt

Liquefied natural gas should be phased out in tandem with other fossil fuels, paving the way for renewable energy to meet international climate and sustainable development goals.

California Misses Opportunity to Protect Kids from Lead in Water

November 28, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaAngela Guyadeen, Corinne Bell

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent veto of AB 249 means the state will not take action to protect kids from lead in their drinking water while attending school. Timing of veto is troubling given alarming data that one in four…

Gulf Whale Artist Series: Florida Artist Blends Art with Education

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, FloridaLexi Nutkiewicz

Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Kelly Quinn is the Co-founder and Art Director of Canvas of the Wild (COTW) where she designs natural landscape murals for educational campaigns, creates illustrations for coloring and activity books, and develops scientific graphics for communicating research. Quinn…

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

October 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

Biden Administration Expands the Gulf's Waters to Oil and Gas Drilling

October 3, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, TexasAndrew Wetzler

The region's communities and marine life will continue to be exposed to the catastrophic risk and ongoing damage of these inherently hazardous industrial operations at sea.

CA Gets a Second Bite at the Federal Funding Apple; Will They Take It?

September 28, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaCorinne Bell

Taxpayers Still on Hook for Oil and Gas Clean-up, Despite New Rule

September 25, 2023 Expert BlogTexas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, AlaskaRebecca Ramirez

BOEM's proposed rule falls short in requiring oil and gas companies to demonstrate they are financially able to fully remove and clean up platforms & pipelines.

California Legislative Roundup, September 2023

September 18, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Key bills on climate accountability and health reach Newsom’s desk

How Missing Water System Boundaries Affect Our Communities

September 15, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaSusan Lee

The lack of public water system boundary information in the United States puts public health at risk.

CARB Must Reform LCFS Program

August 23, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez

Will CARB listen to the community voices calling for change to the LCFS Program?