In the News

Solar Energy Industry Brings Ray of Hope to the Rust Belt Posted November 24, 2009

Areas hard-hit by the U.S. automakers' slump are pitching themselves to green technology firms. Workers and machines that used to crank out cars are now making parts for solar and wind power plants.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rustbelt-greenbelt23-2009nov23,0,3232106.story

Oceans Under the Gun Posted November 24, 2009

According to “Oceans Under the Gun”, a new report written by Environment America and the Sierra Club, California’s clean beaches and oceans support a vibrant coastal tourism and fishing economy that generates $55 billion per year in California, verses the $22 billion that the federal government estimates California has in oil and gas.
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/newsroom/oceans/oceans-news/oceans-under-the-gun#WjVe5aGgPRlxJDotJO8Z4g

New Protections for Southern Coast Decided Posted November 24, 2009

After months of negotiations and meetings, a network of marine protected areas - or underwater state parks - have been decided for southern California’s coast.  These areas are designed to limit fishing, in order to allow for diminishing fish stocks to rebuild.
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/newsroom/oceans/oceans-news/new-protections-for-southern-coast-decided#Wch3BsPMjetr7ke5unlndA

How San Diego's Largest Water Users Are Conserving (Or Not) Posted November 23, 2009

No one uses more water in San Diego than the city government itself, which consumes more than 3 billion gallons annually. And in the last two years, no single user has cut consumption more than the city, which trimmed its use by 293 million gallons annually -- enough water to supply 1,800 homes for a year.

A look at the top 10 users in San Diego, though, shows mixed results. Since the call for conservation began in 2007, four of the largest users have consumed more.

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2009/11/20/environment/833water111909.prt

Water still divides the state Posted November 18, 2009

California's biggest statewide problem is -- and always has been -- how to share water. But it's really a local issue.

Years ago, pundits and pols began redrawing the California political map with an east-west divide, erasing the historic north-south split. Now they can partition it north-south again, at least in mapping the reignited water war.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap16-2009nov16,0,2900641.column

Tijuana builders set pioneering green goal Posted November 18, 2009

There are taller buildings in Tijuana. And far more colorful ones. But in a corner of the city’s Rio Zone, the developers of a 14-story office building are striving for a different kind of distinction: becoming the first certified “green” structure in northwest Mexico.

Via Corporativo, a high-end corporate office building made of steel and concrete, has skylights, open-air bridges, a vast central “air-and-light” chamber, and an aluminum skin that filters out ultraviolet rays. The aim is to minimize the building’s environmental impact and meet stringent certification standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/16/builders-set-a-pioneering-green-goal/

New power plant recommended Posted November 18, 2009

The staff of the California Energy Commission is recommending licensing a new 540-megawatt power plant on the Carlsbad coast, over the objections of city officials, who don’t want more heavy industry marring the beachfront.

The staff concluded that the proposed plant complies with all the city’s regulations and standards, and that it would control pollution in its stacks.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/13/new-power-plant-recommended/

Public subsidies approved for San Diego County desalination project Posted November 11, 2009

Southern California's first major seawater desalination plant moved forward Tuesday when it won public subsidies that could eventually amount to $350 million.

Years in the planning, the private San Diego County venture would be capable of producing enough water to supply about 100,000 homes.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-desalination11-2009nov11,0,1148730.story

EPIC offers suggestions to reduce emissions Posted November 9, 2009

More telecommuting, more traffic circles and more mass-transit options will help the county reduce emissions of climate-warming gases, according to a new report from the University of San Diego School of Law that recommends solutions large and small for policymakers.

In a companion study, the researchers also said retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency and installing more solar panels are important ways to curb the region’s contribution to global warming.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/05/suggestions-offered-reduce-emissions/

Hard-won water deal still faces hurdles Posted November 9, 2009

The Legislature yesterday passed a sweeping package of policies and a massive bond measure that together represent the most significant breakthrough on water management in nearly 50 years.

But amid celebration in the Capitol, there was broad recognition that steep challenges loom before California can recover from years of paralysis over how to improve water supply, distribution and conservation.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/05/hard-won-water-deal-still-faces-hurdles/