An enthusiastic crowd filled Felton Community Hall for the 22nd Environmental Town Hall, sponsored by the Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee, on Saturday, October 28. Attendees had the opportunity to listen to Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, whose discussion about her wide-ranging work at the State level, honing in on environmental issues and newly passed laws that will have local impact, demonstrated a high level of knowledge and involvement, and engendered challenging questions and comments from attendees during the Q&A.

For example, Pellerin worked closely with other legislators to help provide protection from pollution by old oil wells, helping pass Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo’s AB 1167 well-plugging bill. A bill by our State Senator John Laird, SB 292, mandating coastal sea-level resiliency planning from those areas being affected by sea-level rise. It was passed and signed into law by Governor Newsom. Assemblymember Pellerin mentioned many other bills, giving insights into the State’s priorities regarding Climate Change.

Ten of Assemblymember Pellerin’s bills were passed and signed into law, considered an excellent record for a first-year Assemblymember.

The excitement for Pellerin’s presentation matched the enthusiasm for the informational displays provided by 18 environmentally focused organizations, County departments, and City agencies. Displays were read, brochures picked up, and, most importantly, hundreds of questions were asked and addressed, such as what the “prescribed burn” program for our local State Parks entails, what Environteers is, and what its excellent newsletter provides. Water issues were addressed at all levels, from watershed and groundwater management to supply and demand issues. The Valley Women’s Club was honored to have Assemblymember Pellerin there, along with many dedicated volunteers and staffers from the exhibitors.