Environment and Natural Resources Publications

The 2023-24 Budget: Improving Legislative Oversight of CalFire’s Emergency Fire Protection Budget

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May 1, 2023 - In this brief, we discuss the design of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's budget for emergency wildfire response, known as the Emergency Fund (E-Fund). We also provide recommendations for modifying the structure of the E-Fund to enhance legislative oversight and control over department expenditures, while preserving necessary budgetary flexibility.

Cap-and-Trade Spending Overview

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March 30, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy

The 2023-24 Budget: Proposed Energy Policy Changes

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March 10, 2023 - This brief considers the Governor’s proposals to (1) establish a new central procurement role for the state to secure energy resources, and (2) require electric utilities that experience energy deficiencies to make payments for state-operated emergency backup electricity resources.

The 2023-24 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Revenue Estimates

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March 2, 2023 - This post summarizes the Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund revenue estimates.

The 2023-24 Budget: Crafting Climate, Resources, and Environmental Budget Solutions (Presentation)

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March 2, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Water Resources

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March 2, 2023 - This brief analyzes the Governor’s budget proposals for the Department of Water Resources related to flood management and ongoing implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

The 2023-24 Budget: California Volunteers Proposed Program Expansions

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March 1, 2023 - This brief reviews proposals to expand two California Volunteers programs: The Youth Jobs Corps and Climate Action Corps.

Overview of Climate, Resources, and Environmental Budget Proposals

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March 1, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update

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March 1, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Environmental Quality Committee Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Assembly Committee on Natural Resources

The 2023-24 Budget: CalRecycle’s Zero Waste Plan Proposal

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February 28, 2023 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor’s 2023-24 budget proposal to provide funding from various special funds for the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to develop and implement a zero waste plan.

Updated (3/2/23): Date of SB 54 requirement was corrected.

The 2023-24 Budget: Crafting Climate, Resources, and Environmental Budget Solutions

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February 22, 2023 - This report describes the Governor’s proposed budget solutions within climate, resources, and environmental programs, and provides the Legislature with a framework and suggestions for how it might modify those proposals to better reflect its priorities and prepare to address a potentially larger budget problem.
Correction (4/27/23): The amounts in Figure 1 for Wildfire and Forest Resilience and Nature-Based Activities and Extreme Heat have been corrected.

The 2023-24 Budget: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Major Capital Outlay Proposals

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February 21, 2023 - In this brief, we analyze the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s 2023-24 budget proposals related to two major capital outlay issues: a new training center and rebuilding an existing conservation camp.

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

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January 13, 2023 - On January 10, 2023, Governor Newsom presented his proposed state budget to the Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the proposed budget based on our initial review. In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release several additional budget analyses.

Summary of Major 2022 Climate and Energy Legislation

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January 6, 2023 - This post provides an overview of newly enacted legislation addressing the state's greenhouse gas emissions and clean energy goals, energy sources, and oil and gas extraction policies.

Assessing California's Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update

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January 4, 2023 - This brief evaluates the California Air Resources Board's plan for achieving statewide 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals.