You are now in Media Coverage San Diego County category.

OPINION: Boosting Diversity, Transparency of San Diego Boards Could Lead to Better Decisions

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Editorial Board

Members of San Diego’s 40-plus boards and commissions — from the Accessibility Advisory Board and the Airports Advisory Committee to the Wetlands Advisory Board and the Youth Commission — have long been less diverse, older and richer than the city at large. They have also often been so low-key that little is known about their actions. Given that a number of these panels make crucial decisions and offer valued guidance to the Mayor’s Office and City Council, this needed to be addressed.

Full Story

Pandemic Pollution Wreaking Havoc on San Diego County Beaches

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Deborah Sullivan Brennan
Beaches in San Diego County and other parts of California are suffering the effects of the pandemic, as visitors have left behind a steady stream of trash, including disposable face masks, plastic takeout containers and other items, according to environmental groups that collect and track beach pollution.
“It’s really a function of all the single-use disposable plastic we use,” said Surfrider Foundation CEO Chad Nelson. “It’s an existing problem that has gotten notably worse since the pandemic.”
Full Story

California Has a New Plan to Protect its Water Supply from Climate Change, But Some Say it’s Based on Old Thinking

/in , , /by /Capital Public Radioby Ezra David Romero

Water is a big deal in California, and climate change is threatening the precious resource. That’s why Gov. Gavin Newsom finalized a broad plan this week to help prevent future water challenges, but some Californians say it relies on old thinking and harmful water storage projects.

The Water Resilience Portfolio outlines 142 actions the state could take to build resilience as the effects of warming temperatures grow. It supports everything from a recent fund focused on safe and affordable drinking water to habitat restoration to improving groundwater storage capabilities.

Full Story

Poll: Californians Support State Policies to Tackle Climate Change

/in , /by /The Mercury News (Bay Area)by Emily Deruy

Californians across the state are concerned about climate change and support plans to reduce harmful emissions and focus on renewable sources of energy. But there are stark differences when it comes to which residents of the Golden State see pollution as a serious threat to their family’s health.

Full Story

Wide-Ranging Water Infrastructure Bill Easily Passes House

/in , , /by /Bloomberg Lawby Amena H. Saiyid and Kellie Lunney

Legislation authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers to boost the nation’s water infrastructure, protect waterways from emerging contaminants, and bolster coastal shorelines sailed through the House Wednesday.

On a voice vote, the House used a procedure reserved for mostly non-controversial legislation to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (H.R. 7575), which lays out a two-year road map for projects that the Corps’ civil works program must tackle.

Full Story

A Heat Wave Is Coming: What to Expect in San Diego Over Next Few Days

/in , , /by /NBC 7 San Diegoby Monica Garske

A summertime heat wave is on the way for San Diego County and the wave’s peak temps could come close to record highs. NBC 7 meteorologist Sheena Parveen said it’ll be “unseasonably hot” across the county starting Thursday. That heat will peak Friday.

Full Story

Warren Buffett Controls Dams in Northern California. Why Gov. Newsom Wants Them Torn Down

/in , , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Dale Kasler

Desperate to complete a historic but complicated dam removal on the California-Oregon border, Gov. Gavin Newsom has appealed to one of the world’s wealthiest men to keep the project on track: financier Warren Buffett.

Full Story

Officials Warn Colorado River Levels Could Fluctuate to Meet Summer Energy Needs

/in , , /by /KNAU Arizona Public Radioby Ryan Heinsius

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recommends river runners secure their vessels to withstand changing levels and campers should set up tents in areas out of reach of the river. Officials plan to release higher-than-normal amounts of water from Glen Canyon Dam, possibly without notice, which will cause rapid changes to the Colorado River’s flow.

The Western Area Power Administration says there’s a possibility that Glen Canyon Dam will be needed to augment regional power supplies in the event of a system emergency. Releases could last a couple hours or even longer and the fluctuations will be more noticeable on weekends.

Full Story

SDG&E Customers Will Receive $64 in Carbon Offset Credits

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Debbie Sklar

San Diego Gas & Electric residential customers will see their electricity bills reduced by $32.28 in both August and September thanks to a climate credit program. Designed to fight climate change, the California Climate Credit will come from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits. The credit on customers’ bills is their share of the payments from the state’s program.

Full Story

Panel Approves Energy, Land and Water Bills

/in , /by /E&E Newsby Tamara Ward

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved several bills yesterday to address tribal energy, land and water resources. Lawmakers approved Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith’s S. 2610 to reauthorize and reform the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs within the Department of Energy.

Full Story