SB 131’s Advanced Manufacturing Exemptions are Dangerous for California SB 131 includes a rushed and poorly defined exemption to CEQA for “advanced manufacturing,” allowing industrial projects like lithium processing, plastics production, and hydrogen fuel facilities to bypass environmental review. These projects could now be fast-tracked into low-income neighborhoods without community […]
Matthew Callaway
83 posts
A Crisis of Representation Across the country, democracy is under siege. While headlines have focused on voter suppression laws, another quieter yet equally dangerous tactic has taken root: gerrymandering, the manipulation of district boundaries to entrench power. Nowhere is this more blatant than in Texas, where Republican lawmakers, backed by […]
In April, environmental and public health advocates across Santa Rosa celebrated a major victory: the unanimous 6–0 vote by the Santa Rosa Planning Commission to deny a permit for a proposed gas station at 874 North Wright Road. The decision was based on strong findings that the project was incompatible […]
For nearly a century, the Potter Valley Project has quietly sustained life across Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. By diverting water from the Eel River into the Russian River watershed, this system has provided drinking water for tens of thousands of residents, supported local farms, and helped maintain healthy river ecosystems. […]
Protecting Sonoma County’s Air, Water, and Community Sonoma County is once again facing the threat of an industrial asphalt plant in Forestville, an area known for its scenic beauty, rich agricultural heritage, and environmentally conscious community. Canyon Rock, Inc.’s proposal to establish an asphalt facility along Green Valley Creek not […]
Despite extensive public support for retaining Recology, the Sebastopol City Council voted 3-2 to award the city’s solid waste contract to Sonoma County Resource Recovery (SCRR). Scores of community members, business owners, and environmental and labor advocates expressed their preference for retaining Recology during the meeting, highlighting concerns about potential […]
As we reflect on this election season, we find ourselves navigating a mix of emotions. National results may have left us disheartened, but locally, Sonoma County has proven that our collective efforts can create meaningful change. Together, we’ve championed the protection of open spaces, supported forward-thinking climate policies, and ensured […]