Category Archives: ECOS Updates

Airport South Industrial Project: The position of ECOS, July 31, 2024

On July 31, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to Sacramento-area Elected Officials, Executive and Planning Staff regarding our position on the proposed Airport South Industrial Project for the parcel south of I-5 in Natomas Basin.

Below is an excerpt.

This project would require annexation of farmland into the City and construction of all infrastructure. It will cause great harm to the integrity of the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan, existing preserves, wildlife, and to the Natomas community and school children. It should not be approved.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Review by experts of the Airport South Industrial Project

Sierra Club, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and ECOS submitted expert opinions to the City of Sacramento and LAFCo on the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Airport South Industrial Project. The legal opinions are those of Patrick Soluri, Soluri Meserve, a Law Corporation, expert comments on transportation issues prepared by Daniel Smith (Exhibit 1) and expert comments on biological resource issues prepared by Shawn Smallwood, PhD (Exhibit 2).

Click here to view the letter in full.

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