Since PCL’s inception we have been at the forefront of key environmental policy decisions in Sacramento. Learn about our recent accomplishments and what PCL has done over its more than 40 year history to support effective planning for California’s future.
In 2007, the Planning and Conservation League staff:
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Sponsored and successfully passed legislation to remove unnecessary barriers to the state’s ability to buy energy efficient and other green building technologies.
- Expanded a coalition effort that worked to successfully pass legislation to expanded the board of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to include health experts.
- Participated in a successful coalition effort to pass landmark legislation to ban toxic phthalates in products meant for younger children.
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Led the effort to support Assemblywoman Wolk and other legislators in passing comprehensive flood management laws.
- Assisted in developing the first long-term Delta Vision Report as participants on the Delta Vision Stakeholder Advisory Group.
- Developed and participated in a environmental coalition that blocked the passage of massive water bonds that would have provided billions of dollars for harmful dams.
- Advanced legislation to provide funding for watershed restoration throughout California.
- Participated in a coalition of water agency and environmental groups to support legislation requiring that all water planning incorporate climate change.
- Helped prevent the approval of a 60 year contract for over one million acre-feet of Bay Delta water for corporate agri-business in drainage impaired lands in the Central Valley.
- Launched Local Climate Action Initiative to empower grassroots activists to effectively campaign for reductions in the carbon footprint of new developments in their region.
- Prepared a Local Climate Action Toolkit of key policy venues and campaign strategy tools.
- Published latest edition of PCL Foundation’s popular Community Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), with a new focus on how to address global warming through CEQA.
- Held our Annual Environmental Legislative Symposium in Sacramento, with 230 participants and keynotes from the Coastal Commission’s Peter Douglas, Congressman Jerry McNerney, and EPA Secretary Linda Adams.
Two of our most recent accomplishments include actively coordinating a broad coalition on the part of California’s environmental and social justice advocates to ensure that the 2006 Infrastructure Bond included sound environmental principles, and to defeat, in 2005, an aggressive campaign to weaken the state’s strongest and most comprehensive environmental protection law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The legislative effort to undermine CEQA was a strong and serious effort, but it failed, thanks in large part to the PCLF publication Everyday Heroes and our additional education, media, and organizing work.
PCL and its staff have also researched and provided necessary policy analysis for some of California’s best and much needed environmental legislation, including, but not limited to the:
- 1970 California Environmental Quality Act;
- 1972 Coastal Conservation Initiative and Coastal Zone and Management Act (Proposition 20);
- 1989 Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939);
- 1990 Rail Bond Act (Proposition 116); and
- 2000 Parks Bond (Proposition 12).
