350 Contra Costa Blog
Fossil Fuel Petition Blog
We residents of Contra Costa have some near-term opportunities to score climate change and environmental justice wins by promoting the termination of oil and gas production in our county. We could set an example and join a growing movement of California localities...
Letter To The Editor Re. Environmental Concerns
Lindy Novak, August 28, 2021 Any of us who follow the news (and look at our skies) realize that we have moved from a state of Climate Change to a state of Climate Emergency. The issues can be overwhelming and, as individuals, it can be difficult not to feel paralyzed...
Contra Costa County Moves Towards Fossil Fuel Freedom
California’s buildings cause 25% of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with two-thirds of building GHG resulting from burning fossil fuels. So if we are going to reach climate change mitigation goals, we have to shift from fossil fuels (typically natural gas...
Will Contra Costa County Have an Office of Sustainability?
Contra Costa County is in the pleasant and unusual position of having to decide how to spend an unallocated addition to the annual budget estimated to be at least $80 million for the next 20 years. Measure X, passed by county voters in 2020, increases sales taxes by...
Community Health Wins!
Community Health Wins! After a second public meeting lasting more than five hours, with comments from the public and the agency’s board members, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Board of Directors voted overwhelming to support a strict standard...
The Fight For Clean Air Continues!
The long-running saga of the effort to get a strong regulatory limit to particulate emissions from Bay Area refineries continues. On Wednesday, June 2nd, the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) heard five and a half hours of...
The Journey to more Climate Action in Sacramento
350 Contra Costa May Meeting Monday May 24th, 4:00pm to 5:30pm Register for Zoom Link Keynote Speaker: Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan: This should be the moment we’ve been waiting for -- California with its legacy of inspiring state-level climate action leadership...
What does Earth Day mean to you?
What does Earth Day mean to you? Is it a time to reflect on the beauty of our planet, or an urgent call to action to protect against the threat of climate change? Earth Day is Thursday, April 22nd. Challenge yourself to take at least one action this month that will...
Letter to the Editor: Chevron Oil Spill
Written by Ellen Beans and published in The East Bay Times on Feb 17th. Once again, the people of Richmond, the wildlife, the air, and the water of the San Francisco Bay are being harmed by this week’s oil spill from the Chevron refinery. This pipeline rupture is yet...
Civic Engagement
“Civic engagement” is a term you probably have heard bandied about, without knowing exactly what it means. Perhaps it conjures up images of protesters holding up signs in front of City Hall. While it can include protesting, civic engagement encompasses a broad range...
Health Risks Associated with Oil and Gas
Health risks associated with oil and gas Dr. Jeffrey Mann talks about health risks associated with oil and gas production and use. Learn about the adverse health effects from living near oil and gas drilling and fracking sites, as well as health impacts from chemicals...
Help Clean Up Contra Costa Air
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s public workshop to be held on February 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM is an opportunity for you to influence the health quality of the air breathed by Contra Costa residents. The virtual meeting will discuss and take comments...
BAAQMD: Sign Petition Now!
In mid-December, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), will be meeting to consider a rule affecting pollution from refineries. Rule 6-5, or “The Cat Cracker Rule” would limit the amount of pollution pumped into the air, and greatly reduce particulate...
A Climate Conversation with 350 Contra Costa: Next steps after the election.
While the elections held our attention, the climate crisis has continued to unfold before our eyes. Wildfires have burnt throughout California, engulfing us in toxic smoke and destroying lives, homes, and businesses. We need to end our dependency on fossil fuels and...
The Future of Contra Costa’s Refineries: What’s Next?
The Bay Area is the second-largest oil refining center on the West Coast and home to five refineries. Four of these are in Contra Costa County. Scientist Greg Karras and refinery town residents and activists will explore the local and global impacts in this...
Stop New Oil and Gas Drilling in Contra Costa!
Amid record low oil prices, an oil glut, and a pandemic, Indiana-based PowerDrive Oil and Gas Company has proposed exploratory drilling in East County. Air and water pollution associated with drilling would threaten the health and safety of nearby homeowners in the...