Make Polluters Pay 8/26/2024

Rally at the Capitol to Make Polluters Pay!

When: Monday, August 26, 2024 at 12:00 pm

Where: California State Capitol — SW Corner near 10th and N St

We’re just days away from the California State Senate voting on three transformative bills to hold Big Oil accountable and protect communities from deadly oil and gas pollution. We have the momentum on our side, but we need a few more senators to vote yes for these crucial protections.

Sign up for the rally to show our legislators there is huge support for these protections.

Senators will be reviewing hundreds of bills in the final two weeks of the session – we need to capture their attention now and win their support. And, lobby groups for the oil industry have spent millions of dollars to try and sink these bills and protect Big Oil profits. One oil industry group may even be planning a demonstration next Monday at the Capitol as well.

ECOS is co-sponsoring this event. Contact Alexandra Reagan at office[at]ecosacramento[dot]net to help staff the event for ECOS. Recruit others from your networks!

Learn more about the bills:

  • Idle Well Clean-Up (AB 1866 – Hart): Forces oil companies to clean up their idle wells much faster.
  • Low-Producing Well Accountability Act (AB 2716 – Bryan): Fines oil companies operating in the Inglewood Oil Field $10,000/month for operating low-producing wells near communities.
  • Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act (AB 3233 – Addis): Protects local governments’ authority to restrict oil & gas production in their jurisdictions.

Event cosponsors include ECOS, 350 Sacramento, California Environmental Justice Alliance, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Central California Environmental Justice Network, Food & Water Watch, Greenpeace USA, Last Chance Alliance, Sierra Club California and many more!

ECOS Talk with Orville Thomas, CEO of California Mobility Center 8/7/2024

ECOS Mtg/Board

Join local environmentalists Wednesday, August 7, 2024 as we talk with Orville Thomas, the new CEO of the California Mobility Center. Thomas joins ECOS to talk about building a Clean Energy, Power, and Zero-Emission Innovation Hub in Sacramento and how that will reshape California’s push towards its climate goals. The Mobility Center concept would construct an almost 200,000 square foot research, development, innovation, and workforce development space in partnership with Sacramento State, SMUD, UC Davis, and the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. 

Orville’s talk will be 6:05 to 7:00 pm including Q&A. ECOS Board meeting to begin at 7 pm, following the presentation.

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

ECOS Climate Mtg re Sac County CAP, Aug 14, 2024

Please note this is a change from the regularly scheduled Climate Committee meeting on Thursday Aug 15.

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024, 6pm

Featuring Todd Smith, Planning Director, Sacramento County

2024 Draft Climate Action Plan and related Draft Subsequent EIR

Sacramento County has revised its 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address public comments, and for consistency with new statewide actions. It also includes a new greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.

Todd Smith, Sacramento County’s Planning Director, will explain how this CAP identifies ways to meet the State’s 2030 and 2045 GHG emissions reduction targets.

Background: ECOS (along with Sierra Club and 350 Sacramento) had expressed concerns about the 2022 CAP, including lack of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The County has now prepared a Subsequent EIR to analyze the potential impacts of the 2024 CAP. The County will accept public comments on the 2024 CAP and the SEIR until August 29.

Public comments on these documents are due Aug 29, 2024.

Links to documents:
2024 Climate Action Plan
Climate Action Plan Draft SEIR
https://planning.saccounty.gov

To join the meeting on Aug 14, 2024

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

SB 867, Allen. Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024

July 10, 2024

This bill would, if approved by the voters in November, authorize the issuance of $10 billion in State General Obligation bonds to finance projects for to improve the climate resiliency of California.

It would provide funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs. Bonds will also be provided for projects that promote sustainable agriculture, protect biodiversity, and increase outdoor access. This bill reflects the need for comprehensive funding that reflects the many ways climate change is affecting our lives. By investing in our collective future now, we will protect public health and promote environmental stewardship for future generations.

In the Sacramento region, SB 867 will provide specific funding for urgently needed measures — $150M to improve levees and flood protection in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; $50M dollars for the Wildlife Conservation Board to support salmon reintroduction to the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds; $21M for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. These measures will help protect one of the most impacted ecosystems in our state, in addition to benefits Sacramento may receive from bonds that are allocated more broadly.

Click here to read the ECOS letter thanking Assemblymember Kevin McCarty.

Click here to read the ECOS letter thanking Assemblymember Angelique Ashby.