Press Releases

October 03, 2003:
CoejlSC Concludes Legislative Year with Success

CoejlSC, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life of Southern California, wrapped up its third year with legislative success as six bills the group supported were signed into law.

The flagship bill, AB 1548, requires California’s Office of Education and Environment to develop environmental curriculum to be incorporated into the state’s K-12 classrooms by next year. Environmental education will be incorporated into the existing science, math, and language arts curriculum for K-12 students. The bill was authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley, whom CoejlSC honored earlier this year for her strong support of environmental issues. CoejlSC partnered with the Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay in sponsoring AB 1548.

Another bill offering environmental education is AB 1330, authored by Assemblyman Joseph Simitian of Palo Alto, which establishes the Outdoor Environmental Education program for underserved and at-risk youth. CoejlSC has strongly supported several specific programs offering environmental education for California students.

CoejlSC supported other bills during the legislative session which were signed into law, including:

• AB 302 (Chan): first-in-the-nation ban on specific flame retardants and other harmful chemicals (PBDEs) which pose a risk to nursing mothers and infants.
• SB 352 (Escutia): prohibits the siting of a school within 500 feet of a freeway and requires an environmental air quality study for sites near large agricultural operations and rail yards. The law provides exceptions for areas with severe school site shortages.
• AB 1360 (Steinberg): develops a system of “environmental indicators” to evaluate effectiveness of state environmental programs. This law will help Cal/EPA make efficient budget and policy choices.
• AB 998 (Lowenthal): provides financial incentives for dry cleaners to use safer, non-toxic and non-smog forming alternative technologies as alternatives to PCE, a known carcinogen. Eight other states have passed laws to promote alternatives to PCE.

CoejlSC Board President Lee Wallach hailed legislative year as a success. “Environmental education and protecting our children were the winners this year, and CoejlSC is proud to have supported environmental legislation for the children of California. Protecting our environment for the next generation is a basic Jewish value, and CoejlSC’s hundreds of members will continue to advocate for landmark environmental policy to protect our state’s air and water.”