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U.S. NEWS Saturday 18 June 2022
California bill would reduce single-use plastic products 25%

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE oversight. The organizations
Associated Press would have to collect $500
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) million annually for a state
— An ambitious Califor- plastic pollution mitigation
nia proposal aims to re- fund. Producers that don't
duce plastic production follow the rules could be
for single-use products like fined $50,000 a day.
shampoo bottles and food The legislation was the
wrappers by 25% starting product of long negotia-
next decade, part of an ef- tions between Allen's of-
fort to rein in pollution from fice, environmental and
the ubiquitous material. business groups. Allen said
A bill introduced late Thurs- he doesn't expect the
day aims to bring environ- plastics industry to support
mental and business groups the bill. But he hopes they
together to avoid a similar won't lobby against it be-
ballot measure slated to go cause it may be more ac-
before voters in November. ceptable than the ballot
But at least two of the bal- measure and would mean
lot measure's three propo- they don't have to spend
nents aren't yet on board. money trying to defeat it.
Democratic Sen. Ben Allen, "While California businesses
the bill's author, said that if Plastic bottles of shampoo are displayed at Compton's Market in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, June both large and small face
passed the proposal would 17, 2022. a maze of environmental
make California a leader Associated Press regulations as a result of
in reducing plastic waste this bill, we believe that this
by focusing on eliminating drinking water. Various ef- ply to producers of prod- ferent recycling laws. proposal ensures long term
plastic at the source, not forts are underway to rein ucts like laundry detergent, Beyond plastic, producers policy certainty around re-
just recycling it once pro- in such pollution, with states toothpaste and food wrap- of all single-use products, cycling and packaging,"
duced. attempting to reduce the pings, as well as companies even those made of paper Jennifer Barrera, president
"The truth is we just need use of plastic grocery bags, like Amazon that package or glass, would need to en- of the California Chamber
less crap out there — less straws and other products. products for mailing. They sure that 65% are recycled of Commerce, said in a
plastic out there in gener- This month the federal gov- would have to replace the by 2032. It's estimated that statement.
al," Allen said Friday. ernment said it will phase plastic with other materials, less than 10% of plastic in Still, there was no imme-
Plastics have long been out the sale of single-use reduce their packaging or the United States is recy- diate commitment from
a target of environmen- plastics like water bottles at market the products as re- cled now. backers of the ballot mea-
tal groups. Most plastic is national parks. usable and make it easy Makers of single-use prod- sure to withdraw it. Ballot
not recycled and millions Under the bill, the 25% re- for consumers to do so. It ucts would have to join measures can be removed
of tons are polluting the duction in plastic from wouldn't apply to water "producer responsibility or- until June 30, meaning the
world's oceans, hurting single-use products would or other beverage bottles, ganizations" that would im- bill would need to win quick
wildlife and showing up in start in 2032. It would ap- which are regulated by dif- plement the rules with state passage.q

Canceled flights rise across U.S. as summer travel heats up

By DAVID KOENIG with airline CEOs to go over So far in June, more than
U.S. airlines canceled high steps the airlines are taking 2.2 million travelers a day
numbers of flights for a sec- to operate smoothly over on average have gone
ond straight day on Friday the July 4 holiday and the through security check-
as they tried to recover rest of the summer, and points at U.S. airports. That's
from storms while accom- to improve accommoda- up 22% from a year ago al-
modating growing crowds tion of passengers who get though still down 13% from
of summer vacationers. stranded when flights are the same period before the
By early afternoon in the canceled. pandemic.
eastern U.S., airlines has Over the Memorial Day There is some concern in
scrubbed more than 1,100 holiday weekend that typi- the industry about ticket
flights after canceling more cally kicks off the summer sales after Labor Day, when
than 1,700 on Thursday, ac- travel season, airlines strug- airlines become more de-
cording to tracking service gled with bad weather pendent on business and
FlightAware. and shortages of workers, international travel, both of Travelers queue up at the north security checkpoint in the main
Airports with the most can- especially pilots, leading to which remain depressed. terminal of Denver International Airport, Thursday, May 26, 2022,
cellations included those in widespread cancellations. However, the outlook for in Denver.
Charlotte, North Carolina, Delta Air Lines, which can- leisure travel within the Unit- Associated Press
a major hub for American celed the most flights over ed States remains strong
Airlines, LaGuardia and the Memorial Day stretch, despite higher fares to cov- in 2019. flights because of absent
Newark Liberty in the New said Friday it has reduced er rising fuel costs. Allegiant's update under- crew members. Allegiant
York City area, and Rea- cancellations by hiring On Friday, Allegiant Air, a scored a wild card still fac- said those cancellations
gan Washington National more pilots and flight at- discount carrier that caters ing the airlines: COVID-19. will cause second-quarter
outside Washington, D.C. tendants and by schedul- to vacationers, said that al- The Las Vegas-based air- revenue to be at the low
On Thursday, Transporta- ing crews to adjust more though it is early, bookings line said that as corona- end of its previous forecast
tion Secretary Pete Butti- quickly to disruptions such for trips after the summer virus cases began rising in but still 28% higher than the
gieg held a virtual meeting as thunderstorms. are running above this time mid-May, it canceled more same quarter in 2019.q