Weekly Green: June 3, 2014

In recent headlines:

• Environmental proposals move forward in wake of fracking moratorium setback;
• Historic EPA global warming rules announced: 30% cut in power plant carbon emissions by 2030;
• Brown's steady march to an alternative energy future;
• News on today's Primary Election, and 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

California Environmental News

CLCV Blog: Fracking Bill Fails to Pass Senate, but the Movement is Strong
The movement to protect Californians from risky fracking suffered a disappointing setback as a bill that would impose a moratorium on fracking and other unconventional drilling practices fell five votes short in the state Senate.
http://www.ecovote.org/blog/fracking-bill-fails-pass-senate-movement-strong

CLCV Blog: Environmental Proposals Move Forward
It's that time of year when those of us working hard to pass good environmental legislation in California can survey the lay of the land and see what remains in play after the flurry of policy committees and floor votes.
http://www.ecovote.org/blog/environmental-proposals-move-forward

Historic EPA global warming rules: How will they affect California?
The Obama administration's announcement Monday of sweeping new rules aimed at curbing global warming emissions from power plants could boost profits at Silicon Valley companies that make solar panels, energy efficiency software and other clean technology.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_25884259/historic-epa-global-warming-rules-how-will-they

EPA seeks 30% cut in power plant carbon emissions by 2030
Taking a historic step to fight climate change, the Obama administration proposed a plan Monday that aims to slash carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants 30% by 2030 and could accelerate the nation's shift away from coal.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/02/epa-proposes-sharp-cuts-power-plant-emissions/9859913/

California has head start, but new EPA rules on carbon will prompt to state to go further on curbing emissions
With California already claiming a head start in the push to curb carbon, state leaders Monday hailed the Obama administration's proposal to slash greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/02/6451336/california-has-head-start-but.html

Gas boom dulls carbon rule's effect
EPA plan is likely to speed a shift to natural gas-fueled power plants, with little impact on the economy.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-epa-economy-20140603-story.html

Geoengineering isn't going to save the planet, says UCLA researcher
In recent years, some researchers have proposed massive technological fixes to combat global warming, attempts to "geo-engineer" the climate to counteract the build-up of greenhouse gases. A new study led by a professor at UCLA concludes there's no silver bullet to stop climate change.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/06/01/44472/geoengineering-isn-t-going-to-save-the-planet-says/

Hayden: Brown's steady march to an alternative energy future
California is poised to spend $120 billion by 2020 toward constructing a sustainable green economy. That's a lot of money, about 10 times greater annually than the United Kingdom, with twice California's population, invests on wind farms and other solar applications.
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/01/6443493/browns-steady-march-to-an-alternative.html

Herdt: Gusher of reaction to oil report
This report has set off a spasm of reaction from various interest groups. But in fact it reveals nothing that those in the oil industry and observers who have been closely following the story of a potential California oil boom didn't already know.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2014/may/28/timm-herdt-gusher-of-reaction-to-oil-report/

Bullet train funding is bargaining chip in state budget debate
As the biggest cheerleader for California's $68-billion bullet train, Gov. Jerry Brown has battled lawsuits from angry landowners and intractable opposition from Republicans. And two years ago, the project barely survived a vote in a Legislature controlled by Brown's fellow Democrats.
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-pol-state-budget-20140531-story.html

Most bills on Chamber's 'job killer' list have been killed
Halfway through the annual legislative process, scarcely a third of the bills given the "job killer" epithet by the California Chamber of Commerce are still alive.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2014/06/most-bills-on-chambers-job-killer-list-have-been-killed.html

Demonstration over 'bomb trains' hauling crude oil in Richmond
About 60 demonstrators on Saturday held signs and made speeches against "bomb trains" of highly toxic and flammable crude oil now stopping at the Kinder Morgan rail yard here, where the oil is loaded onto trucks and taken to area refineries.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_25873145/demonstration-over-bomb-trains-hauling-crude-oil-richmond

Plastic Substance Created by Pollution Yields a New Word: Plastiglomerate
By now everyone knows the word “Anthropocene,” a name pregnant with meanings. It uses the language of geological time divisions to suggest that the effects of modern civilization have made the Earth system itself operate differently. The Anthropocene has become a powerful hallmark of climate-change/global-warming rhetoric.
http://blogs.kqed.org/science/2014/05/29/plastic-substance-created-by-pollution-yields-a-new-word-plastiglomerate/

Pesticide maker agrees to phase out controversial poison
Highly toxic rodent poisons that created a regulatory furor after they spread into the environment and were linked to the death of wildlife will be taken off store shelves, according to an agreement between the manufacturer and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Pesticide-maker-agrees-to-phase-out-controversial-5517127.php

California bill on genetically modified food labels fails in Senate
A bill that would have required labeling on food that contains genetically modified organisms fell short of the votes needed to stay alive in the state Senate on Thursday.
http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-calif-bill-requiring-labeling-of-genetically-modified-foods-fails-in-senate-20140529-story.html

Central Sierra river may win increased protections
Part of a river draining the central Sierra Nevada could win new protections from a wild-and-scenic designation under a bill approved by the state Senate on Thursday, despite complaints that the action could aggravate water shortages caused by California's drought.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/may/29/central-sierra-river-may-win-increased-protections/

Pollutants from jets at LAX greater, more harmful than previously believed, study says
Levels of hazardous pollutants generated by planes at LAX are much more prolific and dangerous than previously believed, according to a study to be released today that asserts the airport generates as much toxic chemicals as hundreds of miles of freeway traffic.
http://www.dailynews.com/article/20140529/NEWS/140529463

Public memorial for John Vasconcellos in three weeks
Friends of the late state Sen. John Vasconcellos have organized a public memorial service for Saturday, June 21 at the Mission Church at Santa Clara University.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2014/06/public-memorial-for-john-vasconcellos-in-three-weeks.html

Drought

Well Drilling Spikes In Drought-Stricken Central Valley
Many people who live in the Fresno area say water isn't flowing from their taps like it used to. Households using private groundwater wells are finding the water table is falling below their pump during the drought.
http://www.capradio.org/24823

Nation's largest ocean desalination plant goes up near San Diego; Future of the California coast?
On sunny afternoons, this stretch of beach 35 miles north of San Diego offers a classic Southern California backdrop: joggers, palm trees and surfers, flanked by waves rolling in and pelicans soaring overhead.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_25859513/nations-largest-ocean-desalination-plant-goes-up-near

Today's Primary Election

California election turnout could be 'embarrassingly low'
Poll workers could be some of the loneliest people in California on Tuesday, with all signs pointing toward what could be the lowest primary election turnout in state history.
http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/California-election-turnout-could-be-5521291.php

Despite tough fights, primary drawing few voters
With no divisive initiatives on the ballot Tuesday, the first primary election under California's new top-two system was not drawing much interest from voters despite some fiercely contested seats for Congress, the state Legislature and statewide offices.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/06/03/3093571/low-turnout-forecast-in-california.html

California's percentage of 'no party preference' voters edges up
Just days before the June 3 primary, California's chief elections officer reported Friday that the percentage of voters registered with no party preference has increased while the percentages for registered Republicans and Democrats declined.
http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-california-no-party-preference-voters-20140530-story.html

IE spending nearly $250,000 a day
Independent spending in California's June 3 primary election has pushed above $23.2 million, with the political forces burning through nearly $250,000 a day.
http://capitolweekly.net/independent-expenditure-spending/

GOP gubernatorial candidates take right turn on green issues
Kill more bears. Produce more oil and greenhouse gases that are causing extreme weather events. Eliminate a major mass transit option for car-dependent California.
http://www.dailynews.com/article/20140531/NEWS/140539871

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