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

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

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

Improving California’s Response to the Environmental and Safety Hazards Caused by Abandoned Mines

Aug 4, 2020 - In some cases, private land owners refuse access to government officials who want to inventory, assess, or remediate these sites. Land owners can have various reasons for refusing government access to their properties, but one factor cited frequently is concern about legal and financial liability if hazards are identified.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4258