Oct. 27, 2016 – A new survey suggests that a revised plan managing millions of acres of forest in the Pacific Northwest would be more likely to meet with the approval of local residents if it safeguards clean drinking water, old-growth forests and outdoor recreation opportunities. Released by The Wilderness Society on Oct. 25, the poll gauged public opinion in Washington, Oregon and Northern California on an updated […]
California
U.S. EPA requires Halliburton to reduce air pollution near schools
LOS ANGELES, Calif. October 27, 2016 – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement valued at more than $400,000 with Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. for a fleet of diesel trucks that violated California’s Truck and Bus Regulation. The company will spend $180,600 on environmental projects to reduce air pollution at schools in the Los […]
Court to Monterey County: Lawsuit Over Wildlife Services Animal-killing Contract Can Move Forward
SALINAS, Calif. Oct. 26, 2016 – The California Superior Court issued an order Monday evening denying Monterey County’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit, filed in June by animal protection and conservation organizations, that challenges the county’s contract renewal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services. This notorious federal program has killed more than 3,000 […]
CALSPEAKS poll: Pot, Gun Control Measures Likely To Pass
Oct. 26, 2016 – A statewide CALSPEAKS survey of Californians likely to vote in the Nov. 8 general election reveals overwhelming support for three ballot measures: legalizing marijuana (Proposition 64), legislative transparency (Proposition 54), and additional restrictions on firearms and ammunition (Proposition 3). The likely voters were asked their opinion on 13 of the 17 […]
Sexually Transmitted Diseases on the Rise in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 25, 2016 – Findings from a 2015 California Department of Public Health (CDPH) report on sexually transmitted diseases indicate that the number of reportable STDs in California is rising at a faster pace compared to the rest of the country and is at a 20-year high. “Cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia […]
Federal court approves $14.7 billion settlement in VW cheating case
SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 25, 2016 – US District Judge Charles Breyer today approved a partial Consent Decree agreed upon by automaker Volkswagen (VW), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the US Department of Justice (US DOJ). The $14.7 billion agreement is the largest settlement in history involving an […]
Drugmakers Pour $22 Million More Into Campaign To Defeat Initiative to Lower Drug Prices via Prop 61
SANTA MONICA, CA, Oct. 20, 2016 – Drug companies poured $22 million more into their campaign to stop drug pricing reform Proposition 61 after Wall Street began to query the companies about losing the election. For the first time, Proposition 61 was mentioned in an earnings call by a major drug company on October 18th. […]
Feinstein, Boxer Call on Defense Secretary to Forgive Repayment of National Guard Bonuses
Washington October 24, 2016 – Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) today called on Defense Secretary Ash Carter to halt the department’s efforts to recoup reenlistment bonuses and benefit payments paid to service members nearly a decade ago. Nearly 10,000 service members have been ordered to pay back enlistment bonuses and other benefits […]
Garamendi Takes Immediate Action to Allow California National Guardsmen to Keep Recruitment Incentives
October 24, 2016 – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced a series of efforts to protect nearly 10,000 soldiers from attempts by the Department of Defense to reclaim the enlistment bonuses they were paid upon reenlisting during our nation’s wars Iraq and Afghanistan. “These […]
PCL Endorses Prop 64 as a “Major Victory for California’s Environment”
SACRAMENTO, Oct. 24, 2016 —Today, the Planning and Conservation League (PCL) – a leading environmental organization in California for 51 years– announced its endorsement of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which will be on the statewide ballot in November. PCL joins the California League of Conservation Voters and the California Council of […]
Final Day for Californians to Register to Vote in November 8 General Election
SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 24, 2016 – Today, October 24 is the deadline for eligible California citizens to register to vote for the first time or to update their voter registration information for the November 8 General Election. “Californians have until midnight to register to vote or update their voter registration,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Californians […]
California Smokejumpers hiring seasonal workforce for 2017 season
Redding, Calif. – Anyone interested in becoming a smokejumper or applying for a summer job as a smokejumper should know 2017 seasonal positions will be filled through a centralized-hiring process. The California Smokejumpers utilize high speed, fixed wing aircraft, to deliver wildland firefighters throughout California and beyond. Smokejumpers provide aggressive initial attack and natural resource […]
Aliso Canyon leak emitted 109,000 metric tons of methane
SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 22, 2016 – The Aliso Canyon natural gas leak emitted 109,000 metric tons of methane into the atmosphere from late October 2015 to mid-February 2016, according to the final estimate released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff. This is roughly equivalent to the annual natural gas usage of 190,000 Los […]
Largest national disaster drill aims to prompt Californians to prepare
SACRAMENTO, Calif. Oct. 20, 2016 – More than 10 million Californians will drop, cover and hold on today in the nation’s largest disaster drill, the Great California ShakeOut. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones urges residents to practice precautionary measures, before, during, and after an earthquake and to take this opportunity to make sure they have the […]
California Forests, Air, Wildlife and More Benefit from $88 Million EQIP Investment
DAVIS, Calif., Oct. 20, 2016 – California’s agricultural landscape received a healthy boost of conservation in fiscal year 2016. Over 1,900 farmers and ranchers teamed with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and partners to voluntarily invest time and money in protecting soil, water, air, plants and wildlife habitat. Conservation planning and funding was provided […]
Secretary of State Alex Padilla Encourages California Citizens to Register to Vote by October 24
SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 20, 2016 – October 24 is the deadline for eligible California citizens to register to vote for the first time or to update their voter registration information for the November 8 General Election. “We are just days away from the October 24 voter registration deadline,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Whether […]
Governor Brown Issues Statement on Death of Modoc County Sheriff’s Deputy
SACRAMENTO October 19, 2016 – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the death of Modoc County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jack Hopkins: “Anne and I were saddened and outraged to learn of the death of another peace officer today. When called to serve, Deputy Hopkins stood tall to protect his community and […]
Breast Cancer Action Demands Agricultural Companies Stop Selling Pink Ribbon Citrus While Irrigating Food Crops With Oil Wastewater
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Oct. 17, 2016 – Breast Cancer Action (BCAction), the respected watchdog for the breast cancer movement, expressed outrage over California agribusinesses using oil wastewater to irrigate food crops while putting pink ribbons on their products. BCAction’s 2016 Think Before You Pink® campaign, Toxic Isn’t Tasty, calls on citrus industry giants Bee Sweet […]
New Gallup Poll Finds Support for Making Marijuana Legal in U.S. Has Reached Record High of 60%
WASHINGTON Oct. 19, 2016 – A new Gallup poll released Wednesday shows support for making marijuana legal in the U.S. has reached a record high of 60%, up from 58% last year and 50% in 2011. A national poll released last week by the Pew Research Center also found support is growing, with 57% of […]
Lawsuit Filed Over Feds’ Denial of Endangered Species Protection to Pacific Fishers
October 19, 2016 – EPIC and our allies filed suit today in U.S. District Court challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s unexpected decision in April to deny Endangered Species Act protection to Pacific fishers. Closely related to minks, martens and wolverines, Pacific fishers are severely threatened by logging, use of toxic rodenticides by illegal […]