RL Miller, chairman of Climate Hawks Vote, an environmental advocacy group, said the failure of efforts to create setbacks around oil wells was a harbinger of the legislative session that followed. She said the state – once a national laboratory for green policy – appears to have abandoned ambitious climate policy, even as it faces a mega-drought and worsening forest fires.

“California just went astray,” Miller said. “I have nothing good to say about the legislature this year. I am very disappointed.”

Frustration among activists erupted again on Thursday, when the assembly repealed a measure that would have banned online retailers from using non-recyclable plastic packaging – the third year in a row that legislation to reduce plastic waste has been passed. neutral point.

The Plastic Packaging Bill, AB1371, by Laura Friedman, Assembly Member, D-Glendale (Los Angeles County), would have forced large online businesses to stop shipping items in online packaging. plastic designed to be used once and thrown in the trash, such as stuffed Amazon envelopes or styrofoam peanuts.

His measure died on a 36-28 vote, five votes behind the majority needed to pass. About two dozen Democrats opposed the bill or did not vote, sparking an outcry from many activists.

“A difficult year is to put it lightly. It’s been a bloodbath for everything that matters, anything that is difficult about the climate or the environment, ”said Mary Creasman, CEO of the California League of Conservation Voters. “This is further proof that polluting businesses are pulling the strings in Sacramento.”

A coalition of business groups, including plastics companies and the California Chamber of Commerce, opposed Friedman’s bill. They said removing such packaging could result in more damaged items or spoiled food.

Friedman told lawmakers the amendments to the bill would exclude perishable foods and pharmaceuticals. She pointed out that other countries have already started phasing out plastic packaging by using paper and other materials that can be easily reused or recycled.

“Californians shouldn’t have to worry that the packaging that comes with our online shopping is polluting our oceans, coasts and communities every time we place an order,” said Ashley Blacow-Draeger, spokesperson for the group. environmental advocate Oceana, which supported the bill.

The most radical plastic waste bill proposed this year, SB54 by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, was put aside for this term by its mover. Industry groups have fought to eliminate versions of the measure over the past three years. All disposable packaging and catering items, such as plastic cups and utensils, should have been recyclable or compostable by 2032.

Allen said he is still negotiating with affected groups, both over the bill and a similar measure on plastic ballots that could be presented to voters in 2022.

“The plastic pollution crisis is too serious and we remain firm in our commitment to tackle the growing waste of our state,” he said in a statement. “Whether it’s through legislation or measuring the ballot, we’ll get there. “

Environmentalists said the plastics issue is another example of how the Democratic super-majority in the legislature has often referred to industry lobbyists, especially those from fossil fuel companies, whose products are used to derive from plastic.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon D-Lakewood (Los Angeles County) said he was also disappointed with the defeat of several environmental bills, but still expects that the legislature is still adopting important measures this year, declaring: “the game is not over. . “

“Since I have been a speaker, California has passed some of the most ambitious environmental and climate laws in the country,” he said in a statement. “I don’t expect this year to be any different.”

Rendon noted that the state budget should also include billions of dollars for projects to prevent forest fires, help the state adapt to drought, plan for the effects of climate change, and boost transportation. clean.

But environmentalists have said California can’t nibble on less legislation if it hopes to deal with the existential threat posed by climate change.

Tensions between the legislature and activists came to a head in April, when a Senate committee rejected AB467, which would have banned the technique of extracting oil from hydraulic fracturing next year as well as several other forms of drilling of fossil fuels by 2035.

The bill, by the Democratic State Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Monique Limón of Santa Barbara, also reportedly demanded that new or renovated oil and gas wells be kept 2,500 feet from homes, schools and other public places.

Labor and industry groups have said the bill could have jeopardized thousands of jobs. Rudy Gonzalez, executive director of the San Francisco Labor Council, warned lawmakers at the time: “Our blue collar workers can’t afford it now.

After the bill was defeated, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the state to stop issuing permits for hydraulic fracturing by 2024 and create plans to end fossil fuel drilling in the state of ‘by 2045 – a timeline that many environmentalists have deemed too slow.

Wiener and Limón tried to revive part of their bill to create setbacks between oil wells and homes and public places. But this effort failed in committee.

“It was just very frustrating to see Democrats again fail to pass meaningful reform on oil and gas activities, especially since the lack of setbacks disproportionately harms underprivileged communities,” said Alexandra Nagy, state director of Food & Water Watch, an advocacy group.

Despite the many disappointments of environmentalists, this legislative session has given a glimpse of some glimmers of progress. Oceana’s Blacow-Draeger said advocates hope several other measures to reduce plastic pollution are still underway.

These plastic bills were part of several eco-friendly measures that recently removed a major procedural hurdle, exiting the chamber where they were presented before Thursday’s deadline. Some highlights:

• Allen’s SB343 would prohibit manufacturers from labeling products with the word “recyclable” or the chasing arrow symbol associated with recycling if they are not recyclable. The bill advances to the Assembly.

• AB478, by Assembly member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, would demand that recycled plastic be used to help make thermoformed plastic containers, such as berry boxes and shells. The bill, which advances in the Senate, would require a minimum of 30% recycled content by 2030.

• AB1395, by Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), would say the state must achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The bill directs regulators to quality look like creating a plan to achieve that goal. He narrowly leaves the Assembly and advances to the Senate.

• AB1346, by Assembly member Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, would ban the sale of new leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other small all-terrain engines, which emit high levels of smog, from 2024 The bill advances to the Senate.

Dustin Gardiner is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @dustingardiner