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

Feb 28, 2023 - In 2011, the Legislature enacted Chapter 476 (AB 341, Chesbro), which, among other provisions, established a goal that by 2020, at least 75 percent of statewide solid waste generated be source reduced, recycled, or composted.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4719

Summary of Major 2022 Climate and Energy Legislation

Jan 6, 2023 - Of the wells that received state permits since 2011, 76  percent are located in communities with above-average poverty rates. California does not currently have setback or buffer requirements for development near oil and gas wells.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4660

The 2016-17 Budget: Resources and Environmental Protection

Feb 16, 2016 - Changes to DPR ’s budget since 2011 –12 have resulted in a SPRF operating deficit and depletion of the SPRF balance. During the recent recession, the 2011 –12 and 2012 –13 budgets reduced baseline General Fund support for the department by a total of $22  million to achieve General Fund savings.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3354

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - Excepting those two severe years, wildfires between 2011 and 2020 emitted an average of roughly 136 Gg of PM2.5 annually. Thus, recent decades of relatively little smoke—driven by policies of fire exclusion—are likely well below the historical norm.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

The 2016-17 Budget: The State's Drought Response

Feb 5, 2016 - This research found that up to 888  million large trees experienced measurable loss in canopy water content between 2011 and 2015, including up to 58  million large trees that experienced severe canopy water losses of greater than 30  percent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3343

Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California

Sep 30, 2021 - A key strategy for reducing home losses during wildfires is for homeowners to maintain an area free of excess or dead vegetation around their homes, known as defensible space.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4457

Expanding Access to Safe and Affordable Drinking Water in California—A Status Update

Nov 10, 2020 - In addition to long ‑standing water quality issues, acute water shortages emerged in certain areas of the state during the severe drought that occurred between 2011 and 2016. In particular, low precipitation combined with increased rates of pumping for agriculture caused groundwater levels to drop significantly in many parts of the Central Valley.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4294

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Electricity Generation

Jan 6, 2020 - Subsequently, Chapter   1 o f 2011 (SBX1 2, Simitian) established a 33  p ercent requirement by 2020. In 2015, S B   350 e stablished a 50  p ercent requirement by 2030 —a target that S B   100 i ncreased to 60  p ercent a few years later.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4131

Preparing for Rising Seas: How the State Can Help Support Local Coastal Adaptation Efforts

Dec 10, 2019 - While these responses show slight progress compared to a similar survey conducted in 2011 —in which a larger share reported they were still assessing their climate risks —the results show that few communities are yet ready to begin implementing SLR adaptation projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4121