Environment and Natural Resources Publications

Crude Oil by Rail—Federal Update

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December 17, 2015 -

On December 4^th, President Obama signed into law a long-awaited federal transportation funding reauthorization bill—the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act—which provided $305 billion over five years for the nation’s transportation systems. The purpose of this report is to inform California lawmakers about additional provisions of the bill designed to address safety concerns around the transportation of crude oil by rail.

Overview of Water Management Issues in the Los Angeles County Region

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November 16, 2015 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife and Select Committee on Urban Rivers and Streams

Framework For Cap-And-Trade Investment Plan Needs Further Development

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September 22, 2015 - We discuss (1) the purpose of the administration's triennial cap-and-trade Investment Plan, (2) limitations of the administration's recently released Investment Plan concept paper, and (3) several key questions we believe the administration should consider as it further develops the Investment Plan that could result in better information about the potential benefits, tradeoffs, and risks associated with different funding choices.

California WaterFix Proposal:Issues for Legislative Consideration

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August 18, 2015 - Presented to Senate Select Committee on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Public Utilities Commission’s Zero-Based Budget

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August 17, 2015 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce

The 2015-16 Budget: Major Features of the Adopted Plan (Other Issues)

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June 19, 2015 - We have provided information on the major provisions of the budget plan passed by the Legislature on Friday, June 19. (It does not reflect potential gubernatorial vetoes.) We will provide a more comprehensive summary of the budget plan in our annual California Spending Plan later this summer.

3780—Native American Heritage Commission Implementation of New California Environmental Quality Act Requirements Resources and Transportation Agenda, Page 23

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June 5, 2015 - Presented to Conference Committee

0540—California Natural Resources Agency Expansion of Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Funds Resources and Transportation Agenda, Page 3

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June 5, 2015 - Presented to Conference Committee

Department of Toxic Substances Control: Overview of Conference Issues Issue 3960, Page 35

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June 5, 2015 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee

Cap-and-Trade: Budget Conference Issues Resources and Transportation Agenda, Page 43

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June 3, 2015 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee

Resources and Transportation Agenda, Page 31 Item 3860-001-6083—Department of Water Resources Item 3940-101-6083—State Water Resources Control Board Drought Conference Issues

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June 3, 2015 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee

Governor’s May Revision: 2015-16 Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

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May 17, 2015 -

Governor’s May Revision: 2015-16 Drought Package

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May 17, 2015 -

An Analysis of the Beverage Container Recycling Program

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April 29, 2015 - The Beverage Container Recycling Program has operated with an annual structural deficit averaging about $90 million since 2008-09 and is currently forecast to run an average deficit of almost $60 million from 2014-15 to 2017-18, absent any changes to reduce expenditures or increase revenues. In this report, we make several recommendations that could eliminate the structural deficit and improve overall program effectiveness. Specifically, we recommend (1) requiring beverage manufacturers to pay for the full cost of recycling their containers, (2) evaluating program activities to determine how cost-effective they are at achieving recycling and litter reduction goals, (3) giving recyclers more flexibility in where they locate and piloting a new recycler payment structure in order to improve convenience for consumers, and (4) adjusting the administrative payments to program participants to reflect their actual costs.

Achieving State Goals for the Delta

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March 19, 2015 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation