California Unveils Draft CalEnviroScreen 5.0 With Diabetes and Small Toxic‑Site Measures

Overview

• The draft adds diabetes prevalence and a new measure for small air toxic sites, plus refined data such as children’s blood lead levels.
• About 80% of disadvantaged‑community designations remain unchanged, and rankings in the Bay Area and Central Valley dip slightly.
• OEHHA developed the update with eight community groups and is taking feedback at virtual and in‑person meetings this month.
• CalEnviroScreen defines which census tracts qualify for at least 25% of cap‑and‑invest spending, directing at least $5.8 billion since 2015.
• Advocates and researchers press for added indicators and stronger enforcement uses, as CARB applies the tool in air‑protection programs and DTSC proposes using it as a cumulative‑impacts proxy in permitting.