Fighting for Environmental Justice, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

As this year’s legislative session comes down to the wire‚ I’m fighting hard for two important environmental justice measures. SB 954 and SB 1259 are consequential pieces of legislation I am working hard to pass before the stroke of midnight on the last day of August.

SB 954 reins in CEQA exemptions passed last year that went too far‚ and SB 1259 applies sensible planning and disclosure requirements to oil refineries that are already mandated for other energy sectors. 

SB 954 makes several critical changes to the CEQA reforms made last year that let almost all advanced manufacturing skip environmental review. Because of last year’s actions‚ strip mining‚ lead acid battery recycling facilities and other manufacturing that is damaging to the environment can move forward without CEQA review – and that’s just not right! 

Furthermore‚ it’s not what Californians want‚ according to a poll conducted this past spring. That’s why I authored SB 954. 

SB 1259 would require oil refineries to submit to the state their plans and cost estimates for cleanup should they close. By providing this information in advance‚ instead of right when they close‚ it gives the state and communities a chance to plan and prepare accordingly. 

This is information we know oil refineries already possess. The legislation simply adds the requirement that they disclose the information to the state. 

Both these bills have passed the Senate and are coming up for votes in the Assembly. If you support these bills‚ I encourage you to write a support letter and/or contact my office.

I’ll update what happened with them in my next newsletter.

I spoke this week to environmental activists about the importance of the two bills mentioned above – tightening environmental rules for polluters and requiring more disclosures from oil refineries.
 
 

I joined advocates and several of my legislative colleagues at a State Capitol rally this week calling to restore funding for public transportation‚ affordable housing and clean air and water programs.
 

The state’s landmark carbon emissions reduction program‚ known as cap and invest‚ has historically funded transportation‚ affordable housing and clean air and water programs.

Launched in 2013‚ the state’s carbon‑trading program charges those that emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and then uses that money for other programs helping the state to address climate change and meet its climate goals.

Due to a variety of factors‚ including how the California Air Resources Board is formulating the rules‚ there is less money expected‚ and the state budget is cutting nearly all funding for some programs previously funded by cap and invest.

In June‚ I joined with many other legislators to send the Governor a letter protesting this change. Unfortunately‚ that did not restore the funding‚ and so we came together for this rally to encourage the Legislature to take action. 

If these cuts remain‚ it would eliminate $600 million in annual funding for transportation provided through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) at a time transportation agencies desperately need financial support. 

I will continue to fight to better fund transit‚ and the other listed priorities.
 
 

Ever since being elected to the state Senate in 2022‚ I have advocated for stronger support for‚ and better management of‚ the LOSSAN rail corridor‚ which runs 351 miles from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. 

I am glad to report that a comprehensive report required by legislation I passed in 2024 (SB 1098) about the rail line and the challenges it faces was recently completed. You can find the report here. 

The report acknowledges that the corridor lacks a comprehensive management plan integrating infrastructure‚ equipment‚ facilities and service across its many partners. It also acknowledges the fiscal pressures facing the operating agencies. 

Those findings should have our attention. This week‚ the transportation subcommittee devoted to LOSSAN held a hearing about the report’s findings. You can watch it here. 

All three passenger rail operators using the LOSSAN line face fiscal pressures at the same time that critical infrastructure remains at risk. The infrastructure needs investment. The operators need stability. And the public needs improved and reliable service. 

But funding alone will not solve these challenges. We also need to address how decisions are made‚ who has authority to act‚ and how the agencies responsible for LOSSAN are held accountable for results. 

Passengers don’t experience LOSSAN as a collection of agencies. They experience a train. They either get to their destination on time‚ or they don’t. They either have confidence that the train will operate when the schedule says it will‚ or they don’t. 

Passengers‚ and improving their experience‚ must be at the center of our efforts.

 

To see my Senate floor speech (above) on SCR 192‚ go here. 

My teenage daughter is a California state ocean lifeguard‚ so I’ve seen firsthand the important service they provide and the life‑saving tasks they’re called upon to do. I’m proud to co‑author SCR 192‚ a resolution that recognizes open water lifeguards as first responders. 

This is important‚ because first responders are a special class of public servants who require extra training and are entitled to certain benefits‚ commensurate to the danger and gravity of their duties. And lifeguards‚ who are first on the scene whenever help is needed on the beach or in the water‚ certainly qualify.
 

MEDIA COVERAGE

KABC 10 San Diego: A viral rescue is fueling a push to officially recognize California lifeguards as first responders

NBC7 San Diego: Viral Santa Cruz water rescue renews push to make lifeguards first responders

CBS 8 San Diego: Dramatic beach rescue in Santa Cruz sparks push to designate lifeguards as first responders

 

You can see a video of my forestry tour‚ which included feeding a spotted owl (left) and walking through an old growth forest (right)‚ on my Instagram page.

Much thanks to the California Forestry Association for a tour of Humboldt County forests to see firsthand how our forests are being managed.

California’s policies for harvesting trees and protecting ecosystems go together hand in hand. Humboldt Redwood Co. leaves more than 97 percent of the forest untouched each year‚ as foresters constantly monitor the streams‚ tree canopy‚ old growth habitat and the fish and wildlife. 

I participated in a rare spotted owl feeding with a live mouse‚ with researchers who track the health and population of the endangered species. I also saw how foresters protect streams and the fish and wildlife that use them. 

My biggest takeaway was that forest management and conservation aren’t opposing or conflicting goals. We have come a very long way in forest management over the last 40 years‚ and I am proud of California’s focus on sustainability practices.

As the Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee‚ I feel it’s important to get out of Sacramento and see how our policies are working on the ground.

 

I was glad to recognize and honor Annika Olsen (center)‚ a Senate Fellow who has done outstanding work in my Capitol office this year‚ during a special ceremony this week on the Senate floor. On the right is Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón. 

I’ve been delighted to host Senate Fellow Annika Olsen in my office this year. She is a true professional who has brought a thoughtful and joyful disposition to work every day. 

From the San Diego area‚ she has jumped into all aspects of legislative work‚ including being lead staff on my SB 936‚ which would limit the sale of large nitrous oxide canisters to legitimate uses to help reduce its dangerous widespread use as a recreational drug. 

Thanks for your dedication‚ Annika‚ and being part of Team Blakespear this year!

Learn more about the Senate Fellows program‚ and how to apply to become one‚ here.

Thank you for your support. I am honored to serve you. 

In partnership‚