SAN DIEGO - California is poised to become the first state in the nation to enact a statewide ban on single-use grocery store plastic bags, following the passage of SB 270 in the state Legislature.

While opponents argue it will cost consumers and businesses money, advocates say the ban is the first step in putting an end to 30 years of single-use plastic bag litter, which never decomposes.

Bill Hickman, CEO of Cleanups for Change, a nonprofit that hosts and enables community litter cleanups, says his organization is excited about passage of the plastic bag ban.

"It gets rid of one of the top litter items we find at beach cleanups, and cleanups inland," says Hickman. "It's not just a coastal issue - Central Valley, you'll see plastic bags going across the farmland."

Hickman says California has a unique obligation to combat plastic bag pollution, given the state's enormous population and lengthy coastline.

"We're a coastal state. We have a responsibility to find source reductions of plastic," he says. "And it's really just a tip of the plastic bag iceberg, but something that has an easy solution in reusable bags."

Belinda Smith is a partner with Gary Manufacturing, a San Diego commercial and industrial sewing company that produces reusable plastic items. She says it's unlikely manufacturers in the state will be affected by the ban.

"The vast majority of single-use plastic bags are actually produced in China," Smith says. "There are a few companies in the U.S. still producing single-use plastic bags, but there's almost no profit in them for anyone distributing the bags."

The California legislation was, in part, based on Hawaii's ban on plastic bags, but that ban didn't start out as statewide - each of Hawaii's five counties one-by-one passed their own "bag bans."

Smith says her overriding concern is preserving the state's quality of life. She sees reducing pollution on land and water as a matter of dollars and cents.

"California spends more than $40 billion a year on cleanups," she explains. "That's a huge amount of money that trickles down to every local municipality that has to spend a few hundred thousand here, a few hundred thousand there, whether it's cleaning out storm drains or picking up litter in a park or on a beach or on a highway."

Governor Jerry Brown has indicated he will likely sign the bill into law, but hasn't given a date. A ban wouldn't take effect until 2015, and stores would offer paper bags, reusable plastic bags or compostable bags for a 10-cent fee.


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As the Trump administration considers a major overhaul of the nation's leading disaster relief agency, a new poll finds the majority of Americans think the government should help affected communities in Wyoming and across the U.S.

The May poll from Pew Research Center showed more than 75% of Americans said it is a good idea for the government to set stricter building standards for new constructions in places at high risk of extreme weather, including floods, major wildfires and droughts. And it found 64% think government should provide financial assistance for communities to rebuild after an event.

Brian Kennedy, senior researcher at the center, said support for the ideas crosses party lines.

"Large shares of Democrats and Republicans say that it's a good idea to set stricter building standards in these communities," Kennedy reported. "Similarly, majorities say it's a good idea for the government to provide financial assistance for people in high-risk areas to rebuild."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is considering renaming or reforming the Federal Emergency Management Agency, after she ended the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program in April.

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, there were 27 climate disasters in the U.S. which each caused at least $1 billion in damages last year, making it the fourth-costliest year on record.

Survey respondents were more split on other approaches. Half of Democrats agreed the government should help cover the rising cost of homeowners insurance in those places, while fewer than a third of Republicans agreed. Regardless of party affiliation, Kennedy noted most people who have experienced extreme weather connect it to climate change.

"When we look at this data and what we've seen over the past several years is the broad patterns in that you see large shares of Americans say, 'Hey, climate change has contributed at least a little,'" Kennedy observed.

He added the questions are relatively new ones for Americans to be considering and he expects to have more data in the future.


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As Michigan aims to support 2 million electric vehicles by 2030, the new "Equitable EV Action Plan Framework" could help local leaders with the transition.

The framework was developed by the University of California-Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, and partners -- including the nonprofit advocacy group Michigan Clean Cities. The plan outlines steps local governments can take to build EV infrastructure and improve accessibility, particularly in underserved communities.

Jeffrey Hoang, communications and engagement associate for Michigan Clean Cities, shared insights about the plan in a recent Clean Fuels Michigan webinar.

"The focus of this framework is ensuring that community voice and impact is prioritized with these plans," Hoang explained. "To actually receive public input on where EV charges, EVSC should be placed within the city. So, actually going out to residents and just asking."

The framework recommends first identifying key agencies and staff involved, then those agencies can decide which action steps matter most for their community and how they should be prioritized. Still, many EV critics contend affordability is a big issue for everyday families, even with tax credits.

Backers said the plan helps cities plan for an EV future, not just for personal vehicles but rideshare services, e-bikes and e-scooters. It recommended outreach and funding strategies for transit projects along with examples of successful pilot programs.

Hoang added the framework can be viewed as a resource, connecting people to other helpful resources.

"There's so much knowledge and great experience and expertise throughout the industry," Hoang observed. "It provides quick access, you know just a quick 'control-F,' search for whatever kind of resource that you might need."

The framework highlighted the need for collaboration among local departments, such as planning, transportation and public works to ensure EV access is implemented effectively and equitably.

A critical decision now rests with Gov. Ron DeSantis, as Florida coastal communities and shellfish farmers urge him to sign a bill permanently banning oil drilling near the Apalachicola River. They see the river as a lifeline for the state's aquaculture industry - and a fragile ecosystem.

House Bill 1143, which passed the Legislature with a single "no" vote in the Senate, would block drilling within 10 miles of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Adrianne Johnson, executive director of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association, warned that the region's economy and environment hang in the balance.

"That area is really unique; 75% of our oyster farmers operate across Franklin, Wakulla and Gulf counties, so those three counties that are downriver from the proposed oil drilling site," she said. "So, protecting that water is absolutely critical to the livelihood of our farmers."

Despite a court win stopping one drilling project in Calhoun County, she said unprotected sites still threaten Apalachicola's fragile recovery. Aquaculture in the area sustains an oyster industry that once supplied 90% of Florida's wild harvest before its collapse.

The Apalachicola River watershed supports Florida's emerging shellfish industry, which filters water, creates habitats and sustains rural coastal economies. Johnson said even the threat of oil contamination, such as what happened during the 2010 BP spill, could devastate the region.

"We are confident that the governor is supportive of our rural coastal communities," she said. "Under his governorship, the state has invested millions of dollars into restoring Apalachicola Bay. So really, this bill aligns with those values."

Under Florida's "7-Day Rule," DeSantis must decide on the Apalachicola drilling ban by next Wednesday. The bill automatically becomes law if he chooses not to either sign or veto it.


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