Weekly Green: March 31, 2014

In recent headlines:

• Proposal reignites debate over labeling genetically modified foods;
• After years of overpumping groundwater, state may be ready for reforms;
• SeaWorld critics hire top firm to push orca ban bill;
• Are New Fracking Regulations in California Enough?
• ... and much more!

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Top News

Proposal reignites debate over labeling genetically modified foods
Bill would require labels on food with genetically engineered ingredients, but opponents say they would stigmatize safe products.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-capitol-business-beat-20140331,0,1869551.story

After years of overpumping groundwater, state may be ready for reforms
For nearly 50 years, California has passed sweeping environmental laws that limit private property for the common good -- from the nation's toughest automobile pollution standards to curbs on clear-cutting forests to rules requiring that developers keep beaches open to the public.
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_25453902/california-drought-after-years-overpumping-groundwater-state-may

SeaWorld critics hire top firm to push orca ban bill
The Animal Welfare Institute has hired a prominent public relations team to help push legislation to ban orca shows at SeaWorld in San Diego.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/mar/24/seaworld-critcics-hire-top-firm-to-push-orca-ban/

Are New Fracking Regulations in California Enough?
California is instituting what some are calling the toughest regulations in the nation for the controversial oil extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. But some say the regulations don't go far enough and instead want a ban.
http://www.capradio.org/20628

In unprecedented move, state Senate votes to suspend three lawmakers
The paid suspensions of Sens. Leland Yee, Ronald S. Calderon and Roderick Wright all but guarantee Democrats will not regain their supermajority in the Senate this session.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/29/us-usa-california-lawmakers-idUSBREA2R1K420140329

California News

Ban it! From bags to butts, California bills would nix range of products
Extinguish your filtered cigarettes, ditch the plastic bags to carry your groceries, toss your micro-beaded facial scrub and cancel those plans to catch an orca show at SeaWorld.
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/30/6280818/ban-it-from-bags-to-butts-california.html

This fault could bring an earthquake worse than 'The Big One'
The Puente Hills fault, which scientists believe could be responsible for Friday's 5.1 earthquake in La Habra, is considered very dangerous.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-this-fault-that-could-bring-earthquake-worse-than-the-big-one-20140330,0,3659379.story

Animal welfare high on Capitol agenda
Backed by strong emotional arguments and a passionate grassroots following, animal welfare advocates have steadily achieved milestone protections in California for cuddly household pets and shiver-inducing predators alike.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/mar/23/seaworld-animal-protection-legislature/

East Bay and South Bay passenger rail corridor proposed to move crude oil
The tracks that carry Amtrak Capitol Corridor trains through about a dozen heavily populated East Bay and South Bay communities could become a rail superhighway for potentially explosive crude oil transports to Central California under a plan by the Phillips 66 oil company, Berkeley officials warn.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_25412227/east-bay-and-south-bay-passenger-rail-corridor

Sacramento officials kept in dark about crude oil transfers at rail facility
Until this week, Sacramento’s InterState Oil ran the crude operation without a required permit. Local fire and emergency officials who would be called upon to respond in case of a spill or fire weren’t informed it was happening.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/03/29/222807/sacramento-officials-kept-in-dark.html

Navy to test Treasure Island homes for radiation
The U.S. Navy will test all of the homes on Treasure Island for elevated radiation levels in response to increasing public concern over the island's safety after the discoveries in recent years of radioactive items buried near housing.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Navy-to-test-Treasure-Island-homes-for-radiation-5345049.php

San Joaquin Valley sinking as farmers race to tap aquifer
So wet was the San Joaquin Valley of Steve Arthur's childhood that a single 240-foot-deep well could quench the thirst of an arid farm. Now his massive rig, bucking and belching, must drill 1,200 feet deep in search of ever-more-elusive water to sustain this wheat farm north of Bakersfield.
http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_25447586/california-drought-san-joaquin-valley-sinking-farmers-race

Major deficiencies in San Francisco's emergency water system
San Francisco's emergency water supply system - key to fighting the recent Mission Bay blaze and the Marina quake-caused conflagration in 1989 - has large gaps and lacks the equipment needed to douse the multiple fires likely to break out after a major earthquake, a Chronicle investigation has found.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Major-deficiencies-in-S-F-s-emergency-water-5359008.php

California climate-change fight results in utility bill credits
Come April, California's fight against global warming will start paying dividends. Real, financial dividends.
http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Calif-climate-change-fight-results-in-utility-5360311.php

California Regulators Preserve Right To Sell Electricity Back To Grid
The solar industry won a key victory this week as California regulators extended the program that allows homeowners to sell solar-generated power back to utilities.
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/mar/28/california-regulators-preserve-right-sell-electric/

Vernon battery recycler again in trouble over lead emissions
An air monitor near the Exide Technologies plant picks up lead levels in violation of public health regulations. The AQMD will order Exide to curtail its operations by 15%.
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-exide-20140329,0,7423575.story

National News

Sempra Energy bets on liquefied natural gas to power future growth
Sempra Energy plans to invest up to $10 billion on a Louisiana facility for exporting liquefied natural gas.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-stock-spotlight-sempra-energy-20140331,0,4339325.story

Global Warming Dials up Our Risks, UN Report Says
If the world doesn't cut pollution of heat-trapping gases, the already noticeable harms of global warming could spiral "out of control," the head of a United Nations scientific panel warned Monday.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/global-warming-dials-risks-report-23121506

Car Companies Take Expertise in Battery Power Beyond the Garage
As more homeowners generate their own electricity from solar panels, they still need power from a utility after the sun goes down.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/business/car-companies-take-expertise-in-battery-power-beyond-the-garage.html

Obama administration targets methane emissions
The methane strategy lays the groundwork for greenhouse gas regulations that could affect agriculture and the oil, gas and coal industries.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-methane-emissions-20140329,0,4792281.story

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