Weekly Green: December 3, 2014

In recent headlines:

• The oil industry and its front groups;
• Taking Stock Of America's Toxic Sites And The Millions Living Near Them;
• In Midst of California’s Drought, a Rainy Day Is a Welcome Sight;
• Call for Suspension of Crude-by-Rail Shipments After Feather River Derailment;
• ... and much more!

» Welcome to another edition of the Weekly Green, your no-frills news roundup provided free of charge by the California League of Conservation Voters. If you're not a regular subscriber, sign up today! Get your free subscription here: http://ecovote.org/wg

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS

2014 Southern California Environmental Leadership Awards
Tomorrow night (Dec. 4, 2014) in Santa Monica, the California League of Conservation Voters will present the Environmental Leadership Awards to three very special honorees, each distinguished by their extraordinary leadership in environmental converservation efforts throughout California and beyond.
http://www.ecovote.org/awards/

Please read about our honorees:
Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León
Mary Leslie
Howard Welinsky

TOP NEWS

The oil industry and its front groups
Last week, Bloomberg Businessweek revealed a slide deck created by Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), the oil industry’s lobbyist, outlining a comprehensive strategy to kill clean air and energy standards in California, Oregon and Washington. It tells of a variety of tactics including a vast network of front groups purporting to be consumer or business organizations, while in reality doing the oil industry’s bidding.
http://capitolweekly.net/oil-industry-claims-wspa-bloomberg-front-business/

Taking Stock Of America's Toxic Sites And The Millions Living Near Them
A recent National Geographic article looks at toxic waste sites in the U.S. and the more than 49 million Americans who live near them. NPR's Eric Westervelt talks with writer Paul Voosen about his piece.
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/30/367600017/taking-stock-of-americas-toxic-sites-and-the-millions-living-near-them

In Midst of California’s Drought, a Rainy Day Is a Welcome Sight
This might be the only state in the nation where a rainy day — complete with blinding sheets of water, shoe-sopping flooded intersections and chalk gray skies — puts people in a good mood.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/us/in-midst-of-californias-drought-a-rainy-day-is-a-welcome-sight.html?_r=0

Call for Suspension of Crude-by-Rail Shipments After Feather River Derailment
A prominent critic of the state’s readiness to respond to potential crude-by-rail accidents wants Gov. Jerry Brown to impose a moratorium on oil trains traveling through Northern California’s Feather River Canyon and more than a dozen other sections of railroad.
http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/12/02/call-for-suspension-of-crude-by-rail-shipments-feather-river-derailment

DROUGHT NEWS

Rain soothes Californians, but state reservoirs in bad shape
The recent storms are doing wonders for the California psyche, but it will take more than a few days of rain to pull the state out of its precipitation doldrums.
http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Rain-soothes-Californians-but-state-reservoirs-5930886.php

Rancho Santa Fe ranked as state's largest residential water hog
Behind the groves of orange trees and gated driveways in this wealthy San Diego County enclave lie estates boasting Gatsby-sized lawns, resort-style swimming pools, water falls and even putting greens.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-water-rancho-20141202-story.html

Rancho Santa Fe Residents No Longer Biggest Water Users In California
New numbers out for October show Rancho Santa Fe has dipped from No. 1 to No. 3.
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/dec/02/rancho-santa-fe-no-longer-biggest-water-users-cali/

San Diego County water use still rising
The rate of residential water conservation throughout California slowed in October compared with the previous two months, according to figures released Tuesday by state regulators. By another measure, San Diego County fared worse: The region’s residents, farmers and companies used 6 percent more water in October than they did during the same month in 2013.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/dec/02/environment-water-conservation-october/

Despite drought, water usage climbs in some parts of Orange County
You might think that in October with no real rain, we’d conserve. Think again. While most of Southern California heeded that message – decreasing water usage 1.4 percent – customers of a handful of Orange County water suppliers actually increased their consumption compared with last October, according to data released Tuesday.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/water-644057-percent-district.html

Despite drought, Californians failing to conserve enough water
California is in one of the worst droughts in its history, yet the state's residents are going backward when it comes to water conservation.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_27053029/despite-drought-californians-failing-conserve-enough-water

California drought: Are water users slacking off conservation?
Call it conservation fatigue. Californians, particularly in the thirsty southern part of the state, are slipping and sliding in their attempts to save water, new data show, despite efforts to draw attention to the historic dry spell that has gripped the state and isn’t about to go away with the current bout of heavy rain.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/California-drought-Are-water-users-slacking-off-5930730.php

Storm drenches California, but it's only a drop in state's drought
The first major Pacific storm of the season drenched much of California on Tuesday, slaking a parched and dusty region, but still leaving the state deep in a historic drought.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-1203-california-rain-20141203-story.html#page=1

Officials increase water allocations as rain hits, drought persists
The biggest storm of the rain season is fostering optimism among state officials, who increased 2015 water allocations this week in response to improving precipitation forecasts.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/12/02/4265595_state-water-leaders-project-10.html?rh=1

State Water Project expects scant deliveries next year
The State Water Project, which carries runoff from the mountains of Northern California to much of the state, expects to limit annual water deliveries to 10 percent of what is requested in the coming year due to the prolonged drought. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 12/2/14
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/State-Water-Project-expects-scant-deliveries-next-5928439.php

California Drought Boosts ‘Cash for Grass’ Programs
It would take a truly drenching winter to declare California’s drought over and, at least so far, that hasn’t materialized. One way water companies are nudging homeowners to conserve? Asking them to rip out their grassy lawns.
http://blogs.kqed.org/science/audio/take-out-your-lawn-and-get-paid-for-it/

CALIFORNIA NEWS

California Republicans seek cap-and-trade exemption for fuels
Returning to an issue that has divided legislative Democrats and permeated campaigns, Republicans on Monday announced a pair of bills preventing California’s cap-and-trade program from expanding to cover oil and gas.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4226376.html

Diablo Canyon at issue as panel gauges nuke safety
With several faults nearby, federal regulators need to reassess seismic standards at California's last operating nuclear power plant and determine if its operating rules are sufficient in light of earthquake risks, says a former California state senator.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4254952.html

Leaked: The Oil Lobby's Conspiracy to Kill Off California's Climate Law
A Powerpoint deck now being circulated by climate activists—a copy of which was sent to Bloomberg Businessweek—suggests that there is a conspiracy. Or, if you prefer, a highly coordinated, multistate coalition that does not want California to succeed at moving off fossil fuels because that might set a nasty precedent for everyone else.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-25/revealed-the-oil-lobbys-playbook-against-californias-climate-law

Oil industry document reveals plans to fight clean-energy initiatives
The West's leading trade group for the oil industry has collaborated with, and in some cases funded, an array of groups to combat what it calls 'aggressive anti-oil initiatives,' according to a presentation obtained by climate activists.
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27052730/oil-industry-power-point-reveals-plans-respond-aggressive

BOE: Statewide gas consumption rises for first time in eight years
California’s gasoline consumption, which has been trending slowly downward, increased nearly 1 percent in fiscal 2013-14, according to the state Board of Equalization. It was the first increase in eight years.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4243953.html

State court may tighten review process for building giant homes
In a case that could redefine the scope of California’s environmental laws, the state Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether the rules exempting most proposed single-family homes from public review apply to a computer magnate’s plan to build a nearly 10,000-square-foot home with a 10-car garage on a steep Berkeley hillside.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Berkeley-case-could-reshape-environmental-law-on-5930513.php

Annenberg Foundation suspends plan for Ballona Wetlands visitors center
Some wetlands proponents had criticized the proposal, first revealed by The Times in January 2013, because of Annenberg's intention to include rescue and care facilities for domestic animals.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-annenberg-wetlands-20141203-story.html

Senator calls on Jerry Brown to halt crude oil trains in ‘treacherous’ California mountain passes
The Feather River route through Plumas and Butte counties is used by at least one train a week carrying up to 2.9 million gallons of highly flammable Bakken crude oil from North Dakota.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4248324.html

Bills, oaths and receptions mark California Legislature’s first day
With a room full of freshly sworn-in state legislators looking back at her, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, offered a few hints on Monday of how this incoming legislative class will differ from those who have governed California in years past.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4237300.html

Environmental groups try again for microbead ban in California
Rinse and repeat — that’s how environmental groups are responding to their narrow defeat this year in the California Legislature on a bill to ban microbeads, the tiny plastic particles in a wide variety of skin cleansing products.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Environmental-groups-try-again-for-microbead-ban-5926360.php

Prop. 65's warning signs of chemical hazards may require more detail
Acting on orders from the governor, a state science agency is working on proposed regulations to make those generally ignored placards more meaningful to consumers. But not everybody's on board.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-capitol-business-beat-20141201-story.html?track=rss

Muir Woods coho salmon vanish, fanning fears of extinction
The cherished coho salmon that historically wriggled their way past beachgoers up Redwood Creek into Muir Woods vanished this year and are now on the verge of extinction, prompting a last-ditch attempt by fisheries biologists to save the genetically unique species.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Muir-Woods-coho-salmon-vanish-fanning-fears-of-5925337.php

Climate change lawsuits press county leaders
The question of whether the region’s leaders are fully grappling with climate change as they shape long-range plans for land use, transportation and other development may be reaching a crossroads.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/29/sandag-county-lawsuits-climate-change-appeals/

After Almost 40 Years, California Coastal Trail Still a Work in Progress
Think hiking in California. What comes to mind? Maybe the Pacific Crest Trail, thanks to the Cheryl Strayed memoir, “Wild,” and the upcoming movie starring Reese Witherspoon. But have you heard of the California Coastal Trail?
http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/11/29/completing-the-california-coastal-trail/

Air Resources Board gets OK to regulate emissions on big-rig engines
California’s air quality cops have scored an important victory with a state appellate ruling last week that they have the legal right to regulate the emissions equipment on heavy-duty engines.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article4162989.html

Martin Litton, legendary conservation leader, dies at age 97
Tireless, fearless and often rambunctious, Martin Litton devoted more than 60 years of his life to protecting the natural beauty of the West, from stopping dams in the Grand Canyon to preserving California's ancient redwoods and sequoia forests.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_27047165/martin-litton-legendary-conservation-leader-dies-at-age

George Miller, Contra Costa’s liberal lion, leaves legacy in D.C.
Rep. George Miller’s office overlooking the Capitol is almost bare, the barber chair his mother gave him carted away, the walls empty of four decades of photos of family, friends, Contra Costa County constituents and a president or two. But Miller is still at work.
http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/George-Miller-Contra-Costa-s-liberal-lion-5926326.php

NATIONAL NEWS

Boxer makes one last push for climate-change agenda
Sen. Barbara Boxer opened a push Tuesday for a bipartisan bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the handful of days before she forfeits the gavel of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee to a Republican who wrote a book calling climate change a hoax.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Boxer-makes-one-last-push-for-climate-change-5930786.php

Campaign cash brings tax benefits on Capitol Hill, study says
A new analysis takes aim at one of political science's evergreen topics: What do donors get in exchange for their campaign contributions?
http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/12/02/48418/campaign-cash-brings-tax-benefits-on-capitol-hill/

U.S. sees voluntary emissions cuts as key to a climate change accord
The United States is championing a new international approach to cutting greenhouse gases that offers the best chance of prompting countries to take action to avert the worst effects of global warming, the nation's chief climate negotiator said Monday.
http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-us-climate-20141202-story.html

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