California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance

The Air Project covers statewide regulatory and legislative air quality issues (excluding climate change). The project works to ensure that state and federal air quality requirements are integrated in order to maximize consistency and minimize duplication of effort. The Organization represents members at the California Air Resources Board and other state agencies, as well as at the legislature. The Air Project works to improve programs on-the ground and to ensure that policies are successful under real-world conditions while still meeting environmental goals. The Air Project is the lead for issues related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Environmental Justice.

The South Coast Air Project deals with air quality and public health issues at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The District enforces some of the most stringent air pollution control regulations in the world, making real progress towards reducing harmful emissions in the second most populated urban area in the United States. The goal of the project is to work directly with the SCAQMD to continuously improve the regions air quality and public health. Project members are represented at numerous proceedings and in stakeholder groups of the District, 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, Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study (MATES) advisory group, and other priority issues.

The Water, Chemistry, and Waste Project focuses on statewide regulatory and legislative issues 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 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), and the Ocean Protection Council (OPC), and other state agencies, as well as the California legislature.

The Bay Area Project encourages the application of sound science, transparency, and consistency in policy making and the deployment of proven, commercially available technologies for equitable and cost effective solutions. Project members are represented at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) proceedings; rulemaking and public workshops, board of directors meetings, and committee meetings.

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, the Organization continues to support Californias 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.

The 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.

The Natural Resources Task Force focuses on legislative, regulatory and permitting issues dealing with state and wildlife agencies. The project focuses on 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. The Natural Resources Task Force engages natural resource policy and regulatory programs managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other state agencies, including the California legislature. The task force also monitors federal issues that create jurisdictional challenges in California.

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 the Water Quality Task Force are to support the California water boards on priority actions, efficient use of limited resources, and improve 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.