Environment and Natural Resources

The 2018-19 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission

• Format:
• HTML

February 14, 2018 - In this analysis, we recommend one modification to the Governor's proposed 2018-19 budget for the California Public Utilities Commission: convert $366,000 for two positions to implement regulations related to electric and gas service disconnections from permanent to six-year limited-term.

The 2018-19 Budget: Resources and Environmental Protection

• Format:
• PDF
• HTML

February 14, 2018 - In this report, we assess many of the Governor’s budget proposals in the resources and environmental protection areas and recommend various changes. Below, we summarize our major findings and recommendations. We provide a complete listing of our recommendations at the end of this report.

Improving Outcomes for California Conservation Corpsmembers

• Format:
• PDF
• HTML

February 9, 2018 - In this report, we (1) provide background material on the types of training and educational opportunities the CCC offers and how the CCC is funded, (2) discuss the CCC’s goals and objectives for improving its training and work program and the corpsmember outcomes it currently tracks (3) assess the lack of corpsmember outcome data and the feasibility of establishing meaningful corpsmember outcome measures and (4) recommend steps the Legislature could take to improve outcome measurements for corpsmembers and to improve the overall performance of the department.

Cap-and-Trade Extension: Issues for Legislative Oversight

• Format:
• PDF
• HTML

December 12, 2017 - In this report, we (1) provide background information on cap‑and‑trade and the recent extension of the program to 2030, (2) identify key administrative implementation decisions that could affect program outcomes and the need for legislative oversight, (3) identify potential opportunities to increase the effectiveness of a new advisory committee created by AB 398, and (4) describe potential state cap‑and‑trade revenue scenarios through 2030.

Evaluating California's Pursuit of Zero Net Energy State Buildings

• Format:
• PDF
• HTML

November 14, 2017 - In this report, we provide background information on ZNE buildings as well as the administration’s approach to meeting the executive order’s goals for state‑owned ZNE buildings. Then, we assess the administration’s approach to these buildings. Finally, we recommend that the Legislature adopt its own policies related to ZNE for state buildings and take steps to ensure that it has adequate information to evaluate future administration proposals for state‑owned ZNE buildings.

2017-18 Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

• Format:
• PDF

August 24, 2017 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review, Subcommittee No. 2

2017-18 Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

• Format:
• PDF

August 23, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Letter to Honorable Cristina Garcia Regarding Oversupply of Allowances in the Cap-and-Trade Program

• Format:
• PDF

June 26, 2017 -

Provides various analyses related to an oversupply of allowances in the state's cap-and-trade program. Specifically, the letter:

• Estimates the range of the cumulative allowance oversupply in the cap-and-trade program through 2020.
• Assesses the impact of allowing this oversupply to carry over into a post-2020 program on (1) future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and (2) near- and long-term allowance prices.
• Assesses the impact of alternative approaches to addressing the oversupply of allowances and the connection between the current program and a post-2020 program.

Overview of California Climate Goals and Policies

• Format:
• PDF

June 14, 2017 - Presented to Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies

Overview of Oroville Dam Spillway Incident

• Format:
• PDF

May 11, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife; Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review; and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Federal Funding for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

• Format:
• HTML

May 10, 2017 - In this post, we provide more detail on federal funding for the state’s natural resources and environmental protection programs, with a focus on the five state departments that receive the most federal funds last year.

Cap-and-Trade

• Format:
• PDF

May 10, 2017 - Presented to: Senate Environmental Quality Committee

Overview of State’s Water Conservation Efforts

• Format:
• PDF

May 3, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Overview of State’s Water Conservation Efforts

• Format:
• PDF

April 25, 2017 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Lessons From Other States to Address California’s Redemption Center Closures

• Format:
• HTML

April 10, 2017 - Since January 1, 2016, over 300 “convenience zone” (CZ) recycling centers—those generally located within a half mile of supermarkets—have closed. CZ recycling centers are an important part of California’s Beverage Container Recycling Program (BCRP). They provide a convenient location for consumers to recycle beverage containers and have their deposit—the California Redemption Value, or “CRV”—repaid. This post examines the closures by reviewing programs in other states and identifying options to improve convenient recycling options in California.