What’s going on with environmental issues in California in 2025?
California faces a decisive moment amid major climate and environmental rollbacks under the Trump administration while also confronting a deepening affordability crisis and pressures to meet its ambitious 2030 climate goals. After January’s wildfires in Los Angeles, the state’s water policy came under national scrutiny following false claims by President Trump that poor Delta water management caused the fires. Lawmakers are now considering a range of water bills addressing contaminants, wastewater recycling, river protections and reservoir storage. On the climate front, legislators are exploring ways to expand clean energy and assess the role of oil and utility companies in climate and disaster-related costs.
CalMatters environment team:
- Deputy Editor: Marla Cone, [email protected]
- Environment Reporter: Julie Cart, [email protected]
- Climate Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, [email protected]
- Water Reporter: Alastair Bland, [email protected]
- Water Reporter: Rachel Becker, [email protected]
- Environment / Inequality reporter: Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, [email protected]
Quick Facts
- Wildfires: Emit as much carbon each year as almost 2 million cars.
- Water: State officials warn that climate change could shrink state water supplies by up to 10% by 2040.
- Pollution: More than 90% of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of one or more pollutants during the year.
- Climate: California emits about 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Environment Bills
In Focus
This is a list of all the environment-related bills considered this session. Highlighted bills are selected by CalMatters reporters as among the most significant.
SB 34
Air pollution: South Coast Air Quality Management District: mobile sources: Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Air pollution: South Coast Air Quality Management District: mobile sources: Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
SB 540
Independent System Operator: independent regional organization: California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
Independent System Operator: independent regional organization: California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
SB 682
Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Environmental health: product safety: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
SB 601
Water: waste discharge.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Water: waste discharge.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
AB 1156
Solar-use easements: suspension of Williamson Act contracts: terms of easement: termination.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
Solar-use easements: suspension of Williamson Act contracts: terms of easement: termination.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy
AB 1413
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater adjudication.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater adjudication.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Key Players
Legislative Leaders
These are the key leaders in the Legislature on environment issues, as selected by CalMatters reporters.
Henry Stern
District 27, Sherman Oaks
Scott Wiener
District 11, San Francisco
Lena Gonzalez
District 33, Long Beach
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
District 16, San Ramon
John Laird
District 17, Santa Cruz
Ben Allen
District 24, El Segundo
Melissa Hurtado
District 16, Bakersfield
Buffy Wicks
District 14, Oakland
Brian Jones
District 40, San Diego
Diane Papan
District 21, San Mateo
Tom Lackey
District 34, Palmdale
Heath Flora
District 9, Ripon
Non-Legislator leaders
These are the most active players on environment issues based on their testimony in hearings or recorded positions on bills.
