Projects

CCEEB’s regulatory and legislative strategies are executed through our issue-specific projects and task forces. Projects bring together members with our expert policy and advocacy staff to set priorities, raise concerns, and brainstorm solutions.

Principles

Our work operates on the following principles:

We support evidence-based policy positions, regardless of the politics.

We call for accurate, transparent, and understandable public information to support broad public participation.

We advocate for policies and programs that maximize environmental benefit in the most cost-effective way.

We aim to ensure clear compliance pathways and avoid overlapping, duplicative, and conflicting regulations.

We engage and listen to all stakeholders and promote shared understanding.

Scales icon

We strike an appropriate balance between command-and-control and market-based programs.

Our Work

Projects

Air Project

The Air Project covers statewide regulatory and legislative air quality issues.

Details

Project Manager: Kendra Daijogo, The Gualco Group, Inc.

Regulatory Lead: Jon Costantino (Interim)

CEQA Lead: Clifford Moriyama, The Gualco Group, Inc.

Meeting Frequency: Monthly in Sacramento, CA

About

Geographic focus: Statewide

Main activity: Legislative and administrative efforts, state regulatory agencies

CCEEB’s Air Project covers statewide regulatory and legislative air quality issues. The project works to ensure that local, state, and federal air quality requirements are integrated in ways that maximize cost-effective and technological feasible air quality and public health benefits while providing consistency across agency programs and minimizing duplication of effort.

CCEEB represents members at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and other state agencies, as well as at the legislature and in the governor’s office. CCEEB covers numerous proceedings, board hearings, and stakeholder groups, including the AB 617 Consultation Group. The Air Project helps to improve program design and implementation and works to ensure that policies are environmentally and economically balanced. The Air Project is also the lead for issues related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and environmental justice.

Issues

  • Air quality, CEQA and environmental justice related legislation
  • Advanced Clean Fleets, Advanced Clean Trucks Regulations and other zero emission rulemakings
  • AB 617 including community plans and program oversight
  • Air monitoring, air sensors, and fence line and community monitors
  • ARB Mobile Source Strategy, State Implementation Plan and Clean Air Act issues
  • Statewide air toxics and criteria pollutant emissions reporting
    • AB 2588 and Air Toxic Control Measures
  • Enforcement, penalties, and fines
  • Cal/EPA’s CalEnviroScreen
  • CAPCOA Industry Task Force
  • CEQA updates to state guidelines
  • Air quality and mobile source incentive programs
  • Off-road engine rules and Portable Engines Registration Program
  • Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program
  • Economic analysis for regulatory proceedings
  • Interaction of CARB with the California Transportation Commission and the California Energy Commission on air quality issues

Bay Area Project

The Bay Area Project covers proceedings before the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Details

Project Manager: Christine Wolfe, CCEEB

Meeting frequency: Monthly in San Francisco, CA

About

Geographic focus: San Francisco Bay Area

Main activity: Bay Area Air Quality Management District policies and programs

The Bay Area Project is engaged in air quality issues before the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). CCEEB promotes the application of sound science, transparency, and consistency in policy making, as well as the deployment of proven, commercially available technologies and strategies for feasible and cost-effective solutions for the BAAQMD’s efforts to reduce both criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. Project members are represented by CCEEB staff at BAAQMD rulemaking proceedings, public workshops, board of director’s meetings, and committee meetings.

Issues

  • District rulemaking process
  • Legislative authority, including indirect source rules
  • Transparency in the budget, fees and cost recovery
  • New Source Review and permitting
  • BAAQMD-related legislation and litigation
  • BAAQMD Clean Air Plan and Climate Change Protection Plan
  • District response to concerns regarding land use, cumulative burdens, and permitting
  • BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines
  • AB 617 implementation
  • Criteria and Toxics Reporting , harmonizing BAAQMD emissions reporting with statewide program
  • Community-led air monitoring
  • Mobile and community monitoring; greenhouse gas measurement and monitoring
  • PM planning efforts; Advisory Council symposia; possible classification of PM as an air toxic
  • Rule 11-18, Air Toxics and Health Risk Assessments
  • Climate pollutant rule development
  • Significant Methane Releases
  • PERP issues
  • Public Safety Power Shutoffs, the increased use of emergency generators, and impacts on attainment, permit conditions, and rule requirements

Climate Change Project

The Climate Change Project covers state-level climate policy, with a focus on the California Air Resources Board.

Details

Project Manager: Kendra Daijogo, The Gualco Group, Inc.

Regulatory Lead: Mikhael Skvarla, The Gualco Group, Inc.

Meeting frequency: Monthly in Sacramento, CA

About

Geographic focus: Statewide

Main activity: Legislative and administrative efforts, state regulatory agencies

California is a leader in combatting the effects of climate change. In 2006, the Climate Change Project was launched to assist the state in the development of California climate change policies and in its implementation of AB 32, and more recently SB 32. Today, CCEEB continues to support California’s climate leadership by bringing together a diverse group of organizations, and routinely communicating directly with legislative and administration decision makers.

The project works to ensure that California develops an efficient and effective regulatory structure that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the greatest benefit. To protect the health of the economy, CCEEB supports credible, peer-reviewed, and transparent economic evaluations of state programs. The Climate Change Project works to ensure the success of California’s cap-and-trade program, strategic use of auction proceeds to further reduce GHG emissions, the effectiveness of the state’s complementary climate policies and Sustainable Community Strategies, and the development of accurate and comprehensive emission inventories, including the clear and consistent protocols for reporting GHG emissions. Project members are represented at numerous proceedings and in stakeholder groups, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.

Issues

  • Climate change related legislation
  • 2022 Scoping Plan
  • Cap-and-Trade, rule amendments, technical issues, and linkage to other jurisdictions
  • SF6 Regulation and phase-out from gas insulated switchgear
  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and use of cap-and-trade revenue
  • SB 1383 and Short-lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
  • Water-Energy Nexus
  • Mandatory Reporting Rule and enforcement
  • Long term energy infrastructure
  • Sustainable Community Strategies
  • Carbon neutrality by 2045
  • Cap-and-Trade, including industry assistance factor, price ceiling, price containment, offset usage limits, and direct environmental benefits
  • GGRF spending, ensuring cost effectiveness, and technology and fuel neutrality
  • SB 350 implementation
  • Wildfire legislation implementation and possible follow-ups
  • Amendments to the Low-Carbon Fuel Standard

South Coast Air Project

The South Coast Air Project covers proceedings before the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Details

Project Manager: Bill Quinn, CCEEB

Meeting frequency: Monthly at SCAQMD

About

Geographic focus: South Coast Air Basin

Main activity: South Coast Air Quality Management District policies and programs

The South Coast Air Project works directly with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in its efforts to continuously improve the region’s air quality and public health. The District enforces some of the most stringent air pollution control regulations in the world, achieving significant reductions in harmful emissions in the second most populated urban area in the United States. CCEEB works with the SCAQMD to ensure the adoption of balanced, cost-effective policies that help to maintain a strong regional economy.

Project members are represented at numerous proceedings and in stakeholder groups of the SCAQMD, including the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) Advisory Committee, Budget Advisory Committee, Home Rule Advisory Committee, Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) Working Group, Permit Streamlining Task Force, AQ-Spec Advisory Committee, AB 617 advisory group, and other priority meetings.

Issues

  • Air Quality Management Plan and State Implementation Plan
  • Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) phase out & Regulation XX
  • Post-RECLAIM New Source Review
  • Best Available Control Technology and Best Available Retrofit Control Technology determinations
  • AB 617 implementation
  • Governing Board leadership, District staffing and staff training
  • Rule 1402 and AB 2588, air toxics
  • Startup/Shutdown/Malfunction Policy
  • Permitting, permit streamlining
  • Rule 1180, community and fenceline monitoring, and AQ-SPEC
  • Rule 1403, asbestos emissions for demolition/renovation
  • Rule 1410, hydrogen fluoride storage and use
  • California Clean Air Act issues
  • SCAQMD-related legislation and litigation
  • Compliance and enforcement, including development of a written policy
  • Net Emissions Analysis Tool
  • Facility Based Mobile Source Measures (i.e. indirect source rules and enforceable measures)

Water, Chemistry, and Waste Project

The Water Chemistry and Waste Project covers statewide regulatory dealing with water, green chemistry, waste management, and hazardous materials.

Details

Project Manager: Dawn Koepke, McHugh, Koepke & Associates

Meeting frequency: Monthly in Sacramento, CA

About

Geographic focus: Statewide

Main activity: Legislative and administrative efforts, state regulatory agencies

CCEEB’s Water, Chemistry, and Waste Project focuses on statewide regulatory dealing with water, green chemistry, waste management, and hazardous materials. The project works closely with state regulatory agencies, administration officials and the legislature to promote accountability, procedural streamlining and proactive, evidence based policies that can be successfully implemented.

Project members are represented at a host of proceedings before state agencies including the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA) Forum Board, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the Ocean Protection Council (OPC), and other state agencies, as well as the California legislature.

Issues

  • Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs)
  • Water Quality fees, objectives, MCLs, NLs, RLs
  • Recycled water
  • Microplastics
  • PFAS Chemicals
  • Publicly Owned Treatment Works discharges, toxicity testing
  • Dredge and fill and wetlands procedures
  • Proposition 65
  • Reform of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and fees paid by generators and TSDF facilities
  • SB 673 implementation and analysis of cumulative impacts and community vulnerability, TSDF permitting, Violation Scoring Procedure
  • Generator Improvement Rule
  • Hazardous waste – classification, inspections, treated wood, used oil, contaminated soils
  • Remediation and corrective actions, post-closure
  • California Environmental Reporting System
  • Construction General Permit, Dewatering Permit, Industrial General Permit, Utility Vault General Permit
  • Once Through Cooling
  • Underground Storage Tanks
  • Vapor Intrusion
  • Imminent Threat, Facility Closures
  • Agency Coordination
  • Release, Spill Reporting Regulations, HMBP Reporting
  • Constituents of Emerging Concern
  • Human Right to Water
  • Plastics, Recycling
  • e-Manifests

Task Forces

Natural Resources Task Force

The Natural Resources Task Force covers legislative, regulatory, and permitting issues at the state and federal wildlife agencies.

Details

Project Manager: Jackson Gualco, The Gualco Group, Inc.

Regulatory Lead: Cliff Moriyama, The Gualco Group, Inc.

Meeting frequency: Monthly in Sacramento, CA

About

Geographic focus: Statewide

Main activity: Legislative and administrative efforts, state regulatory agencies

The Natural Resources Task Force is engaged with legislative, regulatory, and permitting issues at the state and federal wildlife agencies. The Natural Resources Task Force focuses on natural resource policy and regulatory programs managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and other state agencies, and the California legislature. The project addresses linear projects, such as pipelines, transmission lines, railroads, water conveyance systems, and general maintenance permits in relation to the protection of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. It also meets regularly with the CDFW staff and monitors federal issues that create jurisdictional challenges in California.

Issues

  • State Wildlife Action Plan
  • California Endangered Species Act
  • Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement and jurisdiction
  • Natural Community Conservation Planning Act
  • Budget, fees, and accountability and transparency
  • Permitting and enforcement
  • California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit
  • Nesting birds and critical habitat

Transportation Energy Task Force

The Transportation Energy Task Force explores the nexus between transportation and energy in a carbon neutral economy.

Details

Task Force Facilitator: Darcy Wheeles, CEA Consulting, Inc.

Project Manager: Jon Costantino (Interim)

Meeting Frequency: Monthly

About

Geographic Focus: Statewide

The CCEEB Transportation Energy Task Force brings together medium and heavy-duty fleets and facility owners and operators with energy providers and utilities to explore the nexus between transportation and energy in a carbon neutral economy. The Task Force is not meant for direct advocacy, nor does it subscribe to any one technology pathway. Rather, it is meant as a forum for honest dialogue and information sharing between key stakeholders and thought leaders working collaboratively to remove implementation barriers and identify policy and investment opportunities. Task Force members share perspectives and case studies to accelerate lessons learned and investigate long-term infrastructure planning and project-level issues as the state transitions to zero-emission industrial vehicles and equipment. Supporting the dialogue, CCEEB consultants and staff work behind the scenes to prepare targeted briefings and background materials on related proceedings at the state Energy Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Air Resources Board.

Issues and Task Force Scope

The Task Force 2021 agenda spans the following topics:

  • Commercialization of heavy-duty battery electric vehicles, electrical system infrastructure, and grid reliability
  • Advancement of fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles and industrial applications, and development of hydrogen supplies and infrastructure
  • Advanced Clean Fleets and Regulatory Design, Feasibility Analyses
  • Role of renewable liquid fuels in a carbon neutral transportation system
  • Incentives, the Low-Carbon Fuel Standard, and Attracting Capital

Water Quality Task Force

The Water Quality Task Force supports the state and regional water boards on priority actions, efficient use of limited resources, and improvement of water quality outcomes.

Details

Project Managers: Gerald Secundy, The Secundy Group & Susan Paulsen, Exponent

About

Geographic focus: Statewide

Main activity: Legislative and administrative efforts, state regulatory agencies

The Water Quality Task Force supports resource alignment efforts at the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) by providing technical guidance to agency staff. Membership is comprised of municipal and regional governmental entities and businesses with experience administering water quality programs. The goals of CCEEB’s Water Quality Task Force are to support the California water boards on priority actions, efficient use of limited resources, and improvement of water quality outcomes. These goals are critical for the development of reliable and sustainable water policies in a state challenged by drought and climate change.

Issues

  • SWRCB STORMs Advisory Committee
  • Implementation of CCEEB recommendations in “A Clear Path to Clean Water” and “Optimizing Storm Water”
  • Policy for recycled water and related general permit
  • Municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) permit implementation
  • Anti-Degradation Policy
  • Proposition 218, SB 213 funding
  • Regional Board Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans)
  • Implementation of statewide general permits for stormwater, Construction General Permit (CGP), Industrial General Permit (IGP)
  • Development of guidelines for economic analysis within state water quality programs
  • Identification of funding and implementation of financial capability assessments (FCA)

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