Leah Silverthorn
Leah B. Silverthorn joined the CalChamber policy team in May 2018 as a policy advocate. She specializes in climate change, air quality, energy, environmental justice, marijuana/cannabis, and transportation and infrastructure issues. In April 2021, she was named a senior policy advocate in recognition of her efforts on behalf of members. She brought to the CalChamber more than decade of legal experience in environmental, energy, and land use matters. Immediately before coming to the CalChamber, she was the principal owner of Silverthorn Legal, based in Seattle, Washington. She focused on environmental litigation, contaminated property redevelopment, and environmental cost recovery and defense. She is an honors graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington, with a B.S. in public affairs and environmental management. She earned her J.D., with honors, at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where she was articles editor for the Indiana International and Comparative Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board. See full bio.
State Gains Funds from Federal Infrastructure Bill
The federal infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden this week will provide much-needed funding to help California improve its roads, bridges and ports.
Much...
CalChamber Offers Practical Steps to Address Supply Chain Crisis
In a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and members of the California Legislature, the California Chamber of Commerce offered a series of practical steps...
CalChamber Halts Limit on Climate Technology Innovation
Legislation that would have limited technological development and hurt the state’s ability to meet its carbon neutrality goals failed to move out of Senate...
CalChamber Seeks Defeat of Proposal Limiting Technological Development
The California Chamber of Commerce is urging senators to oppose legislation that proposes to limit the technology needed to reach the state’s carbon neutrality...
Legislature Should Reject Changes to Cap and Trade that Would Increase Price Without Emissions...
The Legislature is considering today a substantial and harmful change to the cap-and-trade market a mere 18 months after the Air Resources Board completed...
Environmental, Industry Groups Call for Suspending Public Comment Deadlines on Pending Regulations
A collection of industry and environmental organizations are urging federal and California agencies to extend or suspend public comment deadlines on a variety of...
Governor Vetoes Bill Inhibiting Direct Democracy
Governor Gavin Newsom this week vetoed a California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that would have hindered Californians’ ability to use the direct democracy tools...
Governor Signs CalChamber-Backed Bill on Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a California Chamber of Commerce-supported bill that will improve accessibility of Greenhouse Gas Fund-eligible projects.
The bill, AB 1237 (Aguiar-Curry;...
Governor Signs CalChamber-Sponsored Bill Helping Small Businesses
A California Chamber of Commerce-sponsored bill to help protect businesses from predatory lawsuits has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
State Air Resources Board Drops Expansion of Emissions Reporting to Small Businesses
In response to objections raised by the California Chamber of Commerce and other business groups, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has dropped—for now—its...
Governor Signs Wildfire Safety and Accountability Legislation
With 2018 standing as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California, wildfire safety and accountability legislation passed both houses of...
CalChamber Objects to Massive Expansion of Air Emissions Reporting Mandate
No Public Hearing Set as Proposed Rule Now Encompasses Small Businesses
Small businesses, including many without in-house air specialists, may soon be required to report...
Amendments Put Balance in Former Job Killer Bill
Legislation that began as a targeted mandate increasing transportation costs has been amended at the urging of the California Chamber of Commerce and its...
CalChamber Outlines Subjects for Carbon-Based Sales Tax Study
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed-unless-amended bill that will increase costs and place regulatory burdens on businesses passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee this week.
SB 43...
Carbon-Based Sales Tax Study Bill to Be Considered in Senate Committee
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed-unless-amended bill that will increase costs and place regulatory burdens on businesses is scheduled to be heard in the Senate...
Job Killer Increasing California Energy Costs in Committee Today
The Senate Rules Committee today will consider the newest job killer bill identified by the California Chamber of Commerce. AB 893 (E. Garcia; D-Coachella)...
Senate Committee OKs First Step Toward Reliable Regional Energy Grid
A California Chamber of Commerce-supported bill that will promote energy efficiency and grid reliability won approval from a Senate policy committee this week.
AB 813 (Holden;...
CalChamber-Opposed Bill Will Increase Energy Costs
Legislation that will lead to increased energy costs has passed the Senate, is under consideration in the Assembly and is opposed by the California...