Our Stories

The Latest by Adrian Martinez

Deputy Managing Attorney

Oil wells near La Habra, 1920s
January 8, 2015

Small Town Seeks Fair Fight in Battling Oil Industry’s Expansion

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

Recently, residents of La Habra Heights, California, rang in the New Year with a victory that ensures the small town will have a fair chance at banning new oil and gas drilling come election time.

A mother watches over her child during treatment for asthma.
October 31, 2014

"We’re fighting for 18 million people living in the greater Los Angeles region forced to breathe this dirty air."

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

Smog plans are the blueprints that help communities achieve clean air, but in Los Angeles plans are faulty and communities suffer because of it.

Smog over Los Angeles.
October 15, 2014

The Port of Los Angeles Has Lost Its Environmental Mojo

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

We’re on the eve of what could be a disastrous vote by the Port of Los Angeles to expand one of its terminals.

A mother watches over her child during treatment for asthma. It remains to be unsafe to breathe in many parts of the South Coast Air Basin.
October 3, 2014

MATES Study Confirms Air Progress in LA Areas, But Safe Air Hasn’t Been Achieved for All

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

Breathing toxic air has consequences far worse than we originally thought. The recently released 2014 Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study indicates progress on air pollution, but also highlights that the fight for clean air isn't over yet.

A zero emissions truck at the Port of Long Beach, California.
July 25, 2014

Port of LA Misses Zero Emissions Boat

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

The Port of Long Beach, California, has shown that the freight industry can reduce its toxic air emissions. It’s time for other ports to do the same.

Trains carrying coal.
June 10, 2014

Long Beach Locks In Dirty Coal Exports

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

Long Beach approves exports of climate-altering coal, petcoke.

A child suffering from asthma.
March 20, 2014

California Cities In Fracas Over Huge Gas-Fired Power Plant

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

Citizens of Lancaster, CA, fear air pollutants from the plant will harm children’s health.

February 7, 2014

A Critical Vote on Southern California Air Quality

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

At issue, investing in long range fossil fuel infrastructure.

September 17, 2013

California Regulators Can't Overlook This Pollution Study

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

A paper published last night in the Journal of Transportation Research Part D: Transport and the Environment identifies how many people are impacted by highway pollution in the United States. The paper finds that 19.3 percent of the U.S. population lives within 500 meters of a high volume road. The findings are important for public …

August 28, 2013

Planning to Prevail Against Transportation Pollution

By Adrian Martinez  /  California Office

California’s strong efforts to combat harmful climate pollution make these two large urban centers the perfect places to advance a modern vision for transportation.