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

Nov 14, 2022 - Particularly when outside, wearing a respirator or a high ‑quality mask, such as an N95 mask or equivalent, can help reduce smoke effects. N95 masks are certified to filter out at least 95  percent of airborne particulates of at least 0.3 microns in size, and studies show that they can filter pollutants from smoke.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Residential Electricity Rates in California

Jan 7, 2025 - Notably, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission —rather than CPUC or local elected officials —generally oversees the transmission portion of electricity rates, as transmission infrastructure can cross state lines.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4950

Crude Oil by Rail—Federal Update

Dec 17, 2015 - This builds on DOT emergency regulations from 2014 that required railroad carriers to report to state emergency response officials regarding train transports of Bakken crude oil of at least 1 million gallons.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3321

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Crosscutting Issues

Apr 5, 2022 - These might include purchasing additional air filters and masks to protect workers from smoke, incurring higher utility costs from an increased need for air conditioning, changing traditional hours of operation, providing additional training to help prevent and identify heat ‑related illnesses, or modifying facilities to accommodate periodic flooding (such as by moving sensitive equipment to higher floors).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4575

Assessing Early Implementation of Urban Water Use Efficiency Requirements

Jan 4, 2024 - Legislation approved in 2018 established a long-term urban water use efficiency framework to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life,” creating new requirements for urban retail water suppliers across the state. This report responds to a requirement that our office assess implementation of the framework.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4823

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

Dec 10, 2019 - Responding to SLR Is Not Yet a Priority for Many Local Residents or Elected Officials. Because many California residents are not yet aware of how and when SLR might affect their communities, coastal adaptation actions are not a high priority for them to request from their local governments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4121

Managing Floods in California

Mar 22, 2017 - If a local jurisdiction experiences a flood disaster that exceeds its ability to respond, local officials can declare a local emergency and request assistance from the Governor. Depending on the amount of damage, the Governor may declare an official State of Emergency and, through OES, provide funding to the affected local jurisdiction through CDAA.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3571

New Federal Toxics Law Could Have Future Implications for State

Oct 5, 2016 - Regulations to officially list these as priority products subject to alternatives analysis has not been finalized. When they are, responsible entities will have up to 180 days to complete their analyses.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3504

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

Apr 10, 2017 - Based on our conversations with recycling experts and officials in other states, recycling center closures have not occurred in other states on the same scale as in California despite similar recycling market conditions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3649

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

Feb 5, 2016 - State officials are particularly concerned about potential damage to the California Aqueduct, which transports water to millions of users in Southern California and runs through areas where significant land subsidence is occurring.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3343