Translate

Environment and Natural Resources Publications

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.


 




Post

Crude Oil by Rail—Federal Update

December 17, 2015 -

On December 4th, 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.

Handout

Overview of Water Management Issues in the Los Angeles County Region

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

Post

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

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.

Handout

California WaterFix Proposal:Issues for Legislative Consideration

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

Handout

Public Utilities Commission’s Zero-Based Budget

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

Report

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

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.

Handout

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

June 5, 2015 - Presented to Conference Committee

Handout

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

June 5, 2015 - Presented to Conference Committee

Handout

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

June 5, 2015 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee

Handout

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

June 3, 2015 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee

Handout

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

June 3, 2015 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee

Handout

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

May 17, 2015 -

Handout

Governor’s May Revision: 2015-16 Drought Package

May 17, 2015 -

Report

An Analysis of the Beverage Container Recycling Program

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.

Handout

Achieving State Goals for the Delta

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

Environment and Natural Resources Staff

Helen Kerstein
(916) 319-8364
Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail
 
Sonja Petek
(916) 319-8340
Water, Coastal Development, and Fish and Wildlife
 
Frank Jimenez
(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, Agriculture, and Toxics
 
Luke Koushmaro
(916) 319-8355
Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Planning and Infrastructure
 
Sarah Cornett
(916) 319-8329
Air Quality, Energy, and Climate Change
 
Rachel Ehlers
(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation