Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

Flames rise from the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Federal oversight is disappearing as multiple refineries explode. Who’s in charge now?

An El Segundo refinery fire has renewed questions about who is investigating the state’s oil industry after serious accidents. With the U.S. Chemical Safety Board defunded, California has yet to fill the gap.

A firefighter walks through a prescribed burn area at the Sugar Pine Point State Park near Lake Tahoe on Sept. 25, 2024.

Environment

California sets aside $170 million to thin vegetation, forests to help prevent wildfires

Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

Six conservancies throughout the state will oversee work largely in Southern California and the Sierra Nevada.

A closeup of a hand inserting an electric charger into a vehicle.

Environment

California scales back electric car rebates to focus on lower-income car buyers

Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

Now that electric cars are mainstream, higher-income Californians will no longer qualify for state subsidies. Lower-income buyers could get up to $12,000.