ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAVA CALLS ON BIG OIL TO PAY ITS FAIR SHARE

On Monday, the Planning and Conservation League (League) joined Assemblymember Pedro Nava as he announced the introduction of new legislation designed to ensure that big oil companies that operate in California compensate the state for extracting oil. The bill, known as the Oil Industry Fair Share Act, ABX6 1 (Nava), brings California in line with other oil producing states by requiring oil companies to pay a severance tax of ten percent. Every other major oil producing state, including Alaska and Texas, have this tax.

The revenue generated by the proposed tax would go into the state's general fund and help balance the budget. Along with the League, Mr. Nava was joined by representatives from Environment California, senior groups, school workers and nurses. These groups all asked the legislature to pass the Oil Industry Fair Share Act to help prevent more severe cuts to vital state services, noting that big oil currently gets a free ride while residents throughout the state are asked to sacrifice to help balance the budget. The measure is estimated to contribute $1.5 billion to the general fund annually.

THE WATER SPECIAL SESSION IS ON!

Following Governor Schwarzenegger's' call for a special session on water policy, a joint legislative committee began hearings on Monday to discuss the water bill package that failed to move before the end of the 2009 legislative session. The committee reviewed the policy package and the $9.3 billion bond in separate hearings, obscuring the bond's inability to fund the policy.

SBX7 1 (Steinberg), introduced in the special session, revises the policy provisions of the package dealing with new Delta governance, conservation, groundwater monitoring and conservation. SBX7 2 (Cogdill) is a $9.3 billion general obligation bond for the 2010 ballot.

Steinberg's policy bill would create two new state agencies: the Delta Stewardship Council and Delta Protection Conservancy. However, none of the funding provisions in the bond account for the administrative costs or the staff positions that would be required to implement near-term actions and govern Delta water management.

Proponents of the package are asking legislators to support the policy bill even if they cannot support the accompanying bond since it contains $3 billion in funding for destructive and cost-inefficient dams. However, secure funding is necessary to successfully implement the proposed new policy, and the environmental merits of the bill hinge on the proposed agencies' ability to deliver results. Sound policy, without sound financing, is nothing more than an unfunded mandate.

CALIFORNIA'S COASTAL AND WATER RESOURCES - A FOCUS AT THE 2010 SYMPOSIUM

Every week, PCL and the PCL Foundation will be providing information on its January 30, 2010 Environmental Legislative Symposium: "Greening California's Landscapes: Smart Solutions for a New Era." This week we're featuring two panels discussing California's coastal and water resources.

The Pros and Cons of Desalination (MCLE and CM credit)

Many coastal communities are considering ocean desalination plants as a water source, but what do you need to know before the decision is made? This panel focuses on the regulatory and environmental concerns of ocean desalination, the advantages and disadvantages, and recent legal decisions. Panelists include:

• Marco Gonzalez, The Coast Law Group
• Steven Kasower, Strategic Economic Applications Company
• Kevin Wattier, Long Beach Water Department
  

Strengthening Land & Sea Connections:

New Strategies for Coastal and Marine Resource Management (CM credit)

Urban runoff is a significant issue especially for coastal communities where beaches, wetlands, estuaries and marine resources become impaired. Learn innovative strategies used in model projects along the coast and how cleaning up our streams and ocean will lead to sustainable coastal communities. Panelists include:

• Doug George, California Ocean Protection Council
• Ximena Waissbluth, Surfrider Foundation - Monterey Chapter
• A Representative from the Orange County Water District
  

Register today! Learn more about the program and other panels offered at the symposium, by viewing our Symposium Agenda.

AMENDMENT TO LAST WEEK'S INSIDER

Last week's Insider featured an article highlighting the 2010 Environmental Legislative Symposium, "Greening California's Landscapes: Smart Solutions for a New Era" award winners. The link for Small Business California, the recipient of the award for Environmental Business of the Year, was incorrect. Please check out their website to see why they are being recognized for their direction, presence and consistent commitment in supporting AB 32 and energy efficiency over the last several years.

Award winners will be recognized at a luncheon during the League and Foundation's annual Environmental Legislative Symposium, "Greening California's Landscapes: Smart Solutions for a New Era," on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in downtown Sacramento. Join us to celebrate with all the award winners and other environmental heroes for their outstanding work on behalf of the environment!