Weekly Green: June 8, 2012

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

• 98% of CLCV’s endorsed candidates advance to general election;
• Climate scientist Peter Gleick back at Pacific Institute;
• Bill to hunt on federal land provokes outrage;
• California finalizes network of marine parks;
• And much more.

Top of the Ticket

Environment Wins in California Primary Election
Champions for our air, land and water up and down the ticket were victorious in the June 5th Primary Election, handing CLCV a success rate of 98% in the races where we made an endorsement.
http://www.ecovote.org/blog/environment-wins-california-primary-election
Check out election results here: http://www.ecovote.org/page/endorsements
California's top-two system shakes up field
As many as 29 California legislative and congressional districts will see two members of the same party compete in the November general election, a function of new balloting rules that made a statewide debut in Tuesday's primary.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/07/4544531/top-two-system-shakes-up-field.html
Embattled climate expert back at Pacific Institute
Climate scientist Peter Gleick has resumed his duties as president of Oakland's Pacific Institute after three months of accusations, investigations and apologies for his decision to use trickery to obtain confidential papers from the libertarian Heartland Institute.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/06/08/BAK51OUH3V.DTL&type=green
Bill to hunt on federal land provokes outrage
Legislation that would guarantee hunting and fishing rights on some federal land has provoked outrage among conservationists, who believe the proposal could eventually open places like Yosemite National Park and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to gun-toting mobs in camouflage.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/06/05/MN9L1OQE7P.DTL
Earth may be near tipping point, scientists warn
A group of scientists warns that population growth, climate change and environmental damage are pushing Earth toward calamitous and irreversible changes.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0607-global-tipping-20120607,0,4125302.story

California Environmental News

Two More State Parks Reprieved From Closure
In case it flew past you, two more historic state parks have been saved from "The List" of those slated to close July 1st: Los Encinos and Santa Susanna. Both are in Los Angeles County.
http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2012/06/08/two-more-state-parks-get-reprieve-from-closure/
State finalizes network of marine parks: Landmark 1999 bill led to special protections
Wednesday's vote in Eureka established levels of protection for coastal areas stretching from Mendocino up to the state line, the last of four regions to get those designations under landmark 1999 legislation
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/rss/ci_20807248/state-finalizes-network-marine-parks-landmark-1999-bill
Amping Up Local Renewable Power
California’s mandated goal of 33% renewable energy by 2020 may be bold and ambitious. But there’s room to raise the bar still higher, say proponents of local renewable power.
http://blogs.kqed.org/climatewatch/2012/06/08/amping-up-local-renewable-power/
California Nuclear Plant to Stay Closed Through August
The San Onofre nuclear plant will remain shut down at least through August, Southern California Edison said, putting a big crimp in electricity supplies in the San Diego area this summer.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303665904577453340514701950.html
PG&E ignored corrosion danger on gas pipes
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is conducting emergency leak surveys on 180 segments of its natural-gas pipeline system after acknowledging it had ignored their vulnerability to corrosion, in some cases for years, the company said Tuesday.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/06/06/MN9G1OTBVD.DTL
Editorial: Put pressure on Wildlife Services
After The Sacramento Bee published a series on the federal government's predator control program, two congressmen -- Reps. John Campbell, R-Irvine, and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. -- said they will ask the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to investigate. They point to waste of federal dollars and harm to ecosystems, as well as secretiveness about USDA Wildlife Services practices and spending.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/06/07/2865410/editorial-put-pressure-on-wildlife.html
Crenshaw-LAX rail line is promising jobs
Construction crews began work this week relocating underground electricity and sewer lines in the Crenshaw/LAX transit corridor, signaling the start of a massive public transportation project that is expected to create thousands of jobs for local low-income residents.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_20782388/crenshaw-lax-rail-line-is-promising-jobs
Opinion: Voters will kill a peripheral canal
We share The Chronicle's view that a peripheral canal is a bad idea, but we disagree that its construction is inevitable.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/06/07/ED3N1OTR0S.DTL&type=green
9th Circuit overturns suction dredge gold mining rulings
Recreational gold mining using suction dredges along Northern California's Klamath River must be reviewed by federal wildlife officials if threatened coho salmon might be harmed, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-klamath-gold-20120602,0,886401.story
Environmental report for NFL stadium in downtown L.A. blasted
Foreshadowing possible lawsuits, environmental groups complained Monday that developer Anschutz Entertainment Group glossed over the negative effects of its proposed football stadium in its lengthy environmental impact report.
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_20779871/city-council-committee-briefed-environmental-document-nfl-stadium
Water board consolidation nixed, for now
A cost-cutting measure that threatened to hamper regulation of water pollution in San Diego County appears to be scrapped for now but the state will continue to look for ways to make regional water quality control boards more efficient.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jun/04/water-board-consolidation-nixed-now/
Green-Car Credits: Automakers' New Way to Cash In
As the market for electric cars heats up—in 2011, about 18,000 electric vehicles were sold in the U.S., up from just under 500 in 2010—a new opportunity is emerging for carmakers: selling “credits” required to meet clean-air rules.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-07/green-car-credits-automakers-new-way-to-cash-in

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