California Environmental News

Sunday, February 16, 2020

CaHSRA Issues Draft 2020 Bullet Train Business Plan for Public Review and Comment

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA) has just released its draft 2020 Business Plan and is seeking comments from the public.

Photo: CaHSRA

The plan emphasizes the CAHSRA's intent to use existing funding to complete a Central California interim line connecting Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. It also outlines major program progress in Northern California, Central California, and Southern California.

Estimated costs are consistent with the 2018 Business Plan and the 2019 Project Update Report.

“This plan outlines how this program will advance to meet California’s mobility, environmental and economic objectives,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “We are in an exciting time for this project and the electrification of transportation in California. In 2020, there will be 350 miles of electrified high-speed rail in development. In the next 18 to 24 months, we will work to environmentally clear the full Phase 1 system between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim. This transformation is well underway in California. Now is not the time to turn back,” Kelly said.

The public comment period started February 12 and closes on April 12, 2020.

Further information on the draft plan can be found at this link: 2020 Draft Business Plan

Sunday, February 3, 2019

CARB submits plan to USEPA for San Joaquin Valley PM2.5 compliance

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) just adopted a new plan to bring the San Joaquin Valley air basin into compliance with four federal standards for fine particulate pollution by the regulatory deadlines set by the US.Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). For more information: CARB PM2.5 Plan

Photo Credit: CARB

Measures for reducing emissions include:

New regulations targeting emissions from heavy-duty trucks, including an inspection and maintenance program, a low-NOx engine standard and a low-emission diesel fuel requirement
Tightened controls on residential wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and enhanced incentives for cleaner-burning alternatives
Enhanced incentives for purchase of cleaner agricultural equipment and commercial underfired charbroilers
A suite of measures to reduce emissions of NOx from flares, including flares at refineries, oil fields and landfills, internal combustion engines and boilers, among other sources.

For more information: CARB PM2.5 Plan