California Governor Vetoes Updates to SB 54’s Plastic Pollution Fund

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1180, a bill meant to establish new spending requirements and eligible entities for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund. The fund, which was originally created by extended producer responsibility and source reduction law SB 54, is expected to be worth $5 billion over the next decade. In explaining his veto, Newsom commended the intention for funds to reach communities most burdened by plastic pollution. But SB 1180 might complicate ongoing work to implement SB 54, he said. The bill was opposed by industry groups, including the Flexible Packaging Association, Foodservice Packaging Institute and Plastics Industry Association, and there was a recent push for a veto over concerns it could stymie plastics production, Plastics News reported. The bill was supported by environmental advocacy groups.

View Article