[Source: Real Clear Energy / Robert Bryce] Two inexorable energy trends are underway in California: soaring electricity prices and ever-worsening reliability – and both trends bode ill (California’s Energy Policies Hurt Minority Citizens the Most | RealClearEnergy) for the state’s low- and middle-income consumers. Last week, the state’s grid operator, the California Independent System Operator, Read More…
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DOL tells court it will not defend proposed prevailing wage rule
[Source: The National Law Review] The Department of Labor (DOL) has informed a federal court in California that it did not wish to defend the proposed prevailing wage rule, which would impose steep wage hikes, “at the same time that is internally evaluating the propriety of that Rule” in the challenge to stop the agency Read More…
‘Less water means more gas’: how drought will test California’s stressed power grid
[Source: The Guardian] Earlier this month, the water level in Lake Oroville – California’s second-largest reservoir – was so low that dozens of houseboats were hauled out. There wasn’t enough water to hold them. In a few weeks, officials say, the lake’s water levels are likely to dip even lower – forcing them to shut Read More…
Senate Bill 12 would kill housing construction
[Source: Orange County Register] Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state housing crisis in 2019, calling for 3.5 million new homes to meet the state’s booming economy. California business organizations joined with the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Orange County Business Council, and BizFed LA in supporting that declaration and call to action. Lack of Read More…
California businesses may have to pay more for workers’ compensation as benchmark rates are under review
[Source: The North Bay Business Journal] While it has little to do yet with the coronavirus, workers’ compensation insurance rates may be going up. Over the next month, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will review rates recommended by the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, a nonprofit which evaluates trends, including the costs of potential claims. Read More…
Save metal finishing in California. Join our efforts. Contribute today.
[Source: MFACA] The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed to phase out decorative hex chrome by 2024, hard chrome by 2028, and chromic acid anodize by 2033. Join our efforts to save metal finishing. Contribute today. CSBA member Metal Finishers Association of California will no longer be able to provide this vital service to Read More…
Is your company prepared for California supply chain carbon emission and climate financial risk disclosures?
[Source: CalChamber] This year, the California Legislature is considering two major new climate policies. The first would alter the way companies collect, audit, disclose, and set carbon emission reductions goals, and the second would require companies to disclose all climate financial risk. Both bills would represent a sea change in how all companies do business—not Read More…
The EPA just accused Missouri’s environmental agency of violating the Civil Rights Act
[Source: GRIST] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has preliminarily ruled that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is in violation of Title VI under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Federal investigators found that the state agency failed to comply with several nondiscrimination requirements, such as ensuring that everyone — including those who aren’t proficient in Read More…
California agency approves warehouse rule for air quality
[Source: Associated Press] Southern California air quality regulators on Friday approved a rule that would curb diesel emissions from thousands of trucks that ferry goods from the growing number of massive warehouses in the region run by Amazon and other companies. Areas around the facilities have weathered increased pollution affecting their largely minority communities. The Read More…