Tag Archives: AB 32

Litigation Update: Latest Round of Litigation Filed over County of San Diego CAP and General Plan Update Amendment

On March 16, 2018, the Sierra Club and several other environmental and climate oriented organizations (Petitioners) filed a Writ of Mandate in San Diego Superior Court against the County of San Diego.  The Writ challenges the County of San Diego’s … Continue reading

Posted in CEQA, Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Litigation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Third Appellate District Upholds CARB’s Cap-and-Trade Auction Authority under AB 32

Today, the Third Appellate District affirmed the Sacramento Superior Court judgment from 2013 that dismissed two consolidated lawsuits filed by the California Chamber of Commerce and Morning Star Packing Co against the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  These cases attacked … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Litigation | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SB 32 and AB 197: Future GHG Reduction Targets and Oversight

The Legislature enrolled SB 32 and AB 197 on August 25, 2016.  These bills create both the future target that will govern GHG emission reduction programs and a higher level of legislative oversight over the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GHG Emission Targets v. Limits: The Constitutionality of Executive Orders S-3-05 and B-30-15

Recently, Legislative Counsel Dian F. Boyer wrote an opinion answering questions from State Senator Jean Fuller of California’s 16th Senate District regarding California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (commonly known as AB 32) and Executive Branch Authority. The nonbinding … Continue reading

Posted in CEQA, Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Achieving Mandatory GHG Reduction under a Regional Independent Systems Operator

A structural question arises when evaluating the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) expansion. What will drive the greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in a regional independent system operator (ISO) or regional transmission operator (RTO) that spans multiple states and out of … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Center for Biological Diversity et al., v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Newhall Land and Farming Company: the Burden of CEQA Land Use GHG Emission Reduction Analysis at the Local Level

The Center for Biological Diversity et al., v. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Newhall Land and Farming Company, 62 Cal.4th 204 (2015)(hereafter, the Newhall Land case) addresses three issues: 1) whether the project level environmental impact report … Continue reading

Posted in CEQA, Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Litigation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Estimating the GHG Emissions Impacts of Reducing or Displacing Electricity: Is it time for a standard method in California?

California has adopted legislation and has executive orders in place laying out aggressive, long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. There are also specific energy policies including those to increase efficiency, generate more renewable electricity, and to reduce fossil fuel use … Continue reading

Posted in Energy Efficiency, Greenhouse Gas, Renewable Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

COPs and CAPs: Goals for stabilization of carbon emissions

The COP21 talks and events started on Monday November 30, 2015. Though California is not a nation, and therefore not a member of the UNFCCC, there are 8 California lawmakers accompanying Governor Brown to the Conference. While the US government, … Continue reading

Posted in CEQA, Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Renewable Energy, Transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What is Business-As-Usual? Projecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the Regional Level

Projecting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is important because it helps us to assess how much the energy and GHG policies in place help to achieve targets set by law. For example, if we apply California’s AB32 target to the San … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Energy Efficiency, Greenhouse Gas, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CEQA Greenhouse Gas Litigation San Diego County

This post summarizes the most important greenhouse gas planning lawsuits initiated in San Diego County and their potential implications for local planning. In Citizens for Responsible Equitable Environmental Development (“CREED”) v. City of Chula Vista (2011) the City of Chula Vista certified a … Continue reading

Posted in CEQA, Legislation, Renewable Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment