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


Publications

Environment and Natural Resources

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Report

The 2023-24 Budget: California Spending Plan Series

October 2, 2023 - Each year, our office publishes California Spending Plan, a series of publications that summarize the annual state budget. The final version of Overview of the California Spending Plan is presented here along with short online posts that focus on major areas and features of the 2023-24 budget package. As these posts become available, we will add them below.


Handout

Promoting Electric Reliability; Recent State Actions

August 29, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications


Handout

Leveraging Federal Climate Funding; Recent State Actions

August 29, 2023 - Presented to: Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies


Handout

Overview of California Ports

August 17, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement


Post

New Infrastructure Legislation: Summary and Issues for Legislative Oversight

August 8, 2023 - The Legislature recently adopted a package of bills aimed at expediting infrastructure projects. In this post, we provide a summary of the key components of the bills that comprise this infrastructure package, including provisions related to legislative oversight. We conclude by identifying key issues for the Legislature to consider as it oversees the implementation of this legislation.


Handout

Governor’s Infrastructure Proposals: Issues for Legislative Consideration

June 8, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water


Brief

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

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.


Handout

Cap-and-Trade Spending Overview

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


Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: Proposed Energy Policy Changes

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.


Post

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

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


Presentation

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

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


Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Water Resources

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.


Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: California Volunteers Proposed Program Expansions

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


Handout

Overview of Climate, Resources, and Environmental Budget Proposals

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


Handout

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

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