CA Environmental Regulations

CA often leads the nation in its quest for environmental protection. With issues such as global warming and fragile ecosystems often in the news, it is no wonder that environmental regulations are hot topics. Environmental regulation has been prevalent for decades. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the federal government enacted important laws to protect the environment, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which monitors hazardous waste disposal. In 1990, the CA Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) was formed. This agency has six departments responsible for environmental research, regulation and administering the state’s environmental protection programs to promote clean air and water, safe pesticides and proper waste recycling and reduction. In fact, guided by Cal/EPA, CA became the first state to limit greenhouse gas emissions from big corporations.

While the federal government has set forth many statutes to protect the environment, each state may also enact laws to protect their environment. Most of the time, the State’s laws are more restrictive than the federal government’s laws. For example, California regulates the type of plastic garbage bags sold within the state and it also keeps a close watch on automobile emissions, especially with newer automobiles.  Contact our business lawyers in Orange County for more info.

Environmental regulations not only manage the large corporations, but often apply to medium and small businesses as well. Many businesses have a direct or indirect impact on the environment and are, therefore, subject to specific regulations.  For instance, air quality and waste disposal have numerous regulatory requirements that apply to all businesses, regardless of the actual size of the business. The prudent business owner should investigate all environmental concerns and regulations that apply to his business…especially in California.

This article was provided by the Orange County business law firm of Mosher and Skorina, toll free at (877) 779-5864.