Skip to main content

Governor Signs Asm. Rivas’ Bill to Protect Health and the Environment



(SACRAMENTO, CA) – On Monday, October 14, Governor Newsom has signed AB 936, legislation to protect public health and the environment authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister). “I thank the Governor for signing this critical bill to protect the people of California,” said Rivas. “AB 936 takes bold steps to ensure first responders are properly equipped and have the information they need to deal with the unique challenges posed by a spill of nonfloating oil. Our communities are counting on us and this shows a serious commitment to ensure their health and safety.”     

“I’m thrilled for the great work that Assemblymember Rivas led to protect our environment from a potential spill of nonfloating oil,” said Former California Secretary of Natural Resources and former Assemblymember John Laird. “The bill fills a critical gap in existing law and I applaud the Governor and Legislature for taking this important action.”

"This is good news for all of the sensitive waters in California--from Big Sur to San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles--that are under threat of spills of nonfloating oil like tar sands," said Ben Eichenberg, San Francisco Baykeeper's staff attorney. "It's great to see California, with the guidance of Assemblymember Rivas, assert leadership on this issue."

“A nonfloating oil spill is just about the worst thing that could happen to our state’s coastline - as anyone who lived through the Kalamazoo River spill a few years ago can tell you,” said Ann Alexander, Senior Attorney, Nature Program, Natural Resources Defense Council. “The Governor and Legislature have thankfully sent a message that California will do everything possible to track where this oil is going, and be ready to clean it up should disaster strike.”

AB 936 enhances oil transportation safety in California by defining nonfloating oil in statute and ensuring that safety standards are regularly updated to incorporate the best possible tools for clean-up. The bill also enhances the collection of information on nonfloating oil moving through California, by requiring the CA Energy Commission to collect and publish such data concerning movements of crude by rail car and vessel.

The bill received bi-partisan support and now becomes law January 1, 2020.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

  January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23.    José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield.  The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding.  The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case.  The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.