Weekly Green: April 12, 2012

Hello and good afternoon all. In this week’s headlines:

• Fukushima radiation found in California kelp;
• California chamber releases “job killer” list of bills;
• Golden State on top with $2 billion in wind power investment;
• California braces for complex world of carbon markets;
• Fracking worries Californians;
• And much more.

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Leading Off

Fukushima radiation found in California kelp
Kelp off California was contaminated with short-lived radioisotopes a month after Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant accident, a sign that the spilled radiation reached the state's coastline, according to a new scientific study.
California Braces for the Complex World of Carbon Markets
Other governments, industry and scientists will be watching, but there’s still a lot to sort out. That much has been evident at this week’s carbon market and policy conference in San Francisco, “Navigating the American Carbon World.”
Windfall of cash could hit state treasury from global warming program
For the past 10 years, California has struggled with huge budget deficits and wrenching cuts. Suddenly, however, the state is poised to raise billions from an unusual new source: the proceeds from its landmark global warming law
Reforming government step by step
The idea of local politicians — particularly in conservative counties — reshaping a state law unless the dysfunctional Legislature vetoed the move is fraught with danger for labor and environmentalists. It "creates very serious risks to environmental laws such as [those] protecting air quality, water quality, the coast and endangered species," complains Tom Adams, longtime activist at the California League of Conservation Voters.

More Environmental News

Fracking Impact on Water Worries Californians
Hydraulic fracturing, which is used to recover deeply buried sources of gas and oil, is emerging as a contentious issue in California. Nearly two-thirds of the nation’s shale oil deposits are found in California, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but most of it is hard to recover without fracking.
$1 billion needed for South Bay flood protection and marsh restoration
"Our investment, which will be deep, isn't charity," said Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. "This is enlightened self-interest and insurance against a disaster or sea level rise that could happen tomorrow."
Deadline for initiative to shut San Onofre, Diablo, is Monday
The clock is ticking on a proposed initiative which would force California’s nuclear power plants at San Onofre and Diablo Canyon to cease operations.
Bullet train planners reverse course, revive Anaheim service
Responding to an outpouring of criticism from Orange County business, civic and political leaders, California’s bullet train agency reversed itself Thursday and voted to pursue a direct service link to Anaheim in the project’s initial phase.
New Reports Highlight Climate Challenges to State Water Supplies
California is both highly prepared and highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change on its water systems, according to two recent studies.
Seismic monitoring plan for Diablo Canyon nuclear plant approved
Coastal regulators have approved plans by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to install an array of seismic monitoring devices on the seafloor off the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo County.
California chamber targets 23 'job killer' bills
Pérez's Assembly Bill 1532 is one of four on the list that would tap into revenues from the state's new "cap-and-trade" program of marketing carbon emissions, which the chamber calls an "illegal tax increase."
California on top with $2 billion in wind power investment
On Thursday, the Annual Market Report from the American Wind Energy Assn. (AWEA) will show that California was first in the nation in new wind power installations in 2011 with more than $2 billion in investments.
Cost to pack California state park artifacts will cut savings
Shuttering dozens of California state parks to trim millions from the state budget will take more than simply hanging a "Closed" sign on trailheads and beach parking lots.
Why the FDA Hasn't Banned Potentially Toxic BPA (Yet)
For most public-health advocates, chemicals like BPA should be guilty until proved innocent — and they feel there's more than enough data out there to cast doubt on BPA's innocence.
Truckers are delivering better fuel efficiency
Since 2008, fleets have been overhauled to include the latest diesel trucks, which are more fuel efficient than older models, or have moved to electric or natural-gas rigs, according to a recent analysis by the London research firm Eyefortransport.

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