Cal EPA Cal EnviroScreen Tool Workshop

The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, December 12th on their California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen). The workshop will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Los Angeles at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) headquarters, located at 818 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA. The Workshop will focus on the purpose and objectives of the CalEnviroScreen Tool and the role of local governments in the development of the tool and its implementation. . RSVPs should be directed to Nicki Arnold at (916)529-4722.

The CSAC Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee heard a presentation from Cal EPA at the CSAC ANR Policy Committee meeting in Long Beach, CA last week. As you might recall, the CalEnviroScreen Tool evaluates and assesses the cumulative impacts of multiple different pollution sources, including pesticide use, toxic pollutants from facilities, and traffic densities, to name a few, while taking into consideration a community’s unique vulnerabilities and characteristics such as environmental, health and socio-economic data (population age, cancer rates, educational attainment, income levels, etc.). 

According to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the draft screening tool is meant to present a broad picture of the burdens and vulnerabilities different areas face from environmental pollutants. According to the draft document, the potential uses of the tool include guidance for grant allocations and prioritizing cleanup and abatement projects to direct resources to the communities with the greatest need. It may also be utilized to prioritize enforcement of environmental laws and inform planning decisions about sustainable economic development investments in heavily impacted communities. CSAC has remaining concerns regarding the intended use for local governments and the intended use of the tool with respect to reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

For more information, visit the OEHHA website.

State Responsibility Area Fees (SRA)

AB 23 (Donnelly) – Support
As Introduced, December 3, 2012

AB 23, by Assembly Member Tim Donnelly, would repeal the State Responsibility Area (SRA) fees enacted by ABX1 29 (Chapter 8, 2011). As you are aware, ABX1 29 was enacted as part of the budget process last year, authorizing CAL FIRE to impose an annual $150 fire prevention fee on habitable structures located in the SRA. While counties understand the State’s fiscal constraints, we must continue to reiterate our opposition to SRA fees, particularly as a means to address CAL FIRE’s funding needs. As you might recall, CSAC also supported last session’s bill to repeal the SRA fee: AB 1506 (Jeffries). This bill died on the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File. 

SB 17 (Gaines) – Support
As Introduced, December 3, 2012

Like its counterpart in the Assembly, SB 17, by Senator Ted Gaines, would repeal the State Responsibility Area (SRA) fees enacted by ABX1 29 (Chapter 8, 2011). See AB 23 (above). 

Proposition 39 Implementation

AB 29 (Williams) – Pending
As Introduced, December 3, 2012

AB 29, by Assembly Member Das Williams, states the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation regarding the implementation of the recently voter-approved Proposition 39. As you recall, this measure includes income tax increase for multistate businesses with revenue dedicated to creating energy efficiency and clean energy jobs in California. AB 29 seeks to create three revolving loan funds for the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. The loan programs would fund clean energy and energy efficiency improvements at public schools, colleges and universities, and other eligible facilities.