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Los Angeles Leads in Easing Consumer Utility Debt

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaMichele Knab Hasson
The City of Los Angeles is taking action to address crippling debt accumulated by low-income utility customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local Leaders Are Failing to Protect L.A.’s Water

Expert BlogLos AngelesCorinne Bell
Every day, an estimated 100 million gallons of runoff contaminated with various pollutants flows through L.A.’s massive storm drain system to foul our rivers, creeks and, ultimately, our coastal waters.

Advancing Park Equity in Los Angeles and Beyond

Expert BlogLos AngelesDamon Nagami
Experts discuss how they fight against systems of power that have decided who does—and does not—get to have access to parks, open spaces, and nature.

California Seeks to Reduce Inequity in Access to Nature

Expert BlogCaliforniaDrevet Hunt, Damon Nagami
Natural spaces like rivers, beaches, wetlands, and forests are critical to human health and well-being. California's legislature is poised to take action to ensure access to nature for all its citizens by enacting AB3030.

California-Chile Water Nexus 1: Urban Drought Solutions

Expert BlogCaliforniaAmanda Maxwell, Tracy Quinn
Though the two places are separated by thousands of miles, a quick glance at California and central Chile reveals striking similarities. Both share a long Pacific coastline, large agriculture economies, and similar Mediterranean climates perfect for wine growing, leading to…

Restoring the L.A. River for All Angelenos

DispatchLos AngelesJeff Turrentine
Advocates who have fought for years to bring back this beleaguered urban waterway are joining local communities of color to ensure that new development doesn’t equal displacement.

San Jose Ups Its Biking Game

DispatchSan Jose (California)Corey Binns
In this sprawling Bay Area city, more than half the carbon footprint comes from cars and trucks. So the city is focusing on growing its network of safe bike paths—and fast.

Newspapers Support SB 1 to Protect Against Trump Rollbacks

Expert BlogCaliforniaAnnie Notthoff

The legislation, authored by Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins, would ensure that California’s own environmental and public health laws provide a backstop to federal environmental rollbacks. 

San Jose’s Proposed Building “Reach Code,” Explained

Expert BlogCalifornia, San Jose (California)Pierre Delforge, Maria Stamas

San Jose is reaching for a modern, more sustainable building energy code this September with an important opportunity before its City Council members: to adopt requirements for builders that will provide San Jose residents with clean, affordable energy in buildings…

SLO Could Pass the Next Landmark Clean Energy Building Code

Expert BlogCaliforniaPierre Delforge

San Luis Obispo could become one of the first cities in the state to pass policy aimed at transitioning to zero-emission electric homes and businesses that are cleaner, safer, and more affordable for their occupants.

Principles for Parks and Equitable Development

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, MemphisSasha Forbes, AICP

Assets in our communities that offer us increased connectivity, shelter, and planned outdoor spaces can act as triggers that escalate land values which usually price out existing residents, often low-income and people of color, and more often renters. But communities…

New CA Lawn Sprinkler Standards = Huge Water & Energy Savings

Expert BlogCaliforniaEd Osann

California officials have adopted one of the most important and consequential water-saving measures ever implemented by any state, establishing an efficiency standard for new spray sprinklers that will reduce irrigation system misting and overspray that is common around urban landscapes.

Keeping Water Demand in Check

Expert BlogUnited States, California, Los AngelesEd Osann

A new tool is shedding light on a growing mismatch between the supply and demand of fresh water.