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Opinion: California’s Renewable Energy Targets Slashed Carbon Pollution — Now There’s a Proposal to Pause Them

/in , /by /CalMatters (Sacramento, Calif.)by Rachel Becker

California’s ambitious renewable energy targets helped drive a substantial drop in greenhouse gas pollution that propelled the state past its 2020 climate change goals early, according to a non-partisan analysis released this week. Yet one California lawmaker confirmed Tuesday he wants to put a stop to the mandate, for now.

Most of the carbon pollution that California scrubbed from its economy over the past ten years disappeared from the state’s electricity sector.

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‘Multiheaded Hydra’ of PFAS Products Under California Scrutiny

/in , , /by /Bloomberg Environment (Arlington, Va.)by Emily C. Dooley

California has its eye on “forever chemicals,” and is taking a closer look at safer alternatives in common consumer products, including stain-resistant coatings for boots and food packaging items.

The state this year could require rug and carpet makers to come up with safer alternatives for their stain- and water-resistant products. After-market treatments with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that help consumers protect their boots, clothes, and other textiles from rain, snow, and grease could also face the same fate.

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Year Starts With New-Average Snow, Storage

/in , , /by /Ag Alertby Kevin Hecteman

A wet December has left its mark in the mountains, and many of the state’s reservoirs remain at or above average storage levels as 2020 begins.

The state Department of Water Resources took its first snow survey of the year at Phillips Station in El Dorado County last week, and found 33.5 inches of snow and a snow-water equivalent of 11 inches, about 97% of average for the location. Statewide, DWR found a snow-water equivalent of 9.3 inches, or 90% of average.

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California Energy Policy Has Reduced Carbon Emissions. By Exactly How Much, Nobody Knows

/in , /by /KQED by Kevin Stark

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report Monday on how well the state’s energy policies are working in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The analysis found that the state requirement that utilities continually increase the amount of renewable energy they provide has been a “significant” driver in curbing emissions.

The LAO, however, was not able to determine exact figures for how much the cut in emissions is attributable to state law versus other factors, and the agency cited as problematic a lack of specific research that evaluates California climate policy.

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Opinion: It’s Vital We Remember The Years Of Water Scarcity During Rainy, Snowy Time

/in , /by /Appeal Democrat

Hopefully, we all remember the pictures from a few years ago: During the last check of the snowpack of the season, where officials should have been walking on snow … they were walking on bare earth.

Measuring snowpack? There was none to speak of. And we had water-use restrictions. Things seemed grim. Then the weather changed, thankfully.

Opinion: Westlands Backs Governor’s Delta Water Strategy

/in , /by /The Mercury Newsby Dan Errotabere

The Mercury News and East Bay Times editorial “Newsom is being played by Big Ag on Delta water” asserted: “Gavin Newsom is being played by Big Ag interests as he tries fruitlessly to negotiate a truce in California’s water wars.” Gov. Newsom has proven that he will not be played by anyone or any interest group – be it an agricultural, urban, or environmental interests.

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Opinion: A Desalination Plant Can Transform The Monterey Peninsula And Help Avert A Water Crisis

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Jeff Davi

Nobody likes to look out to the Pacific Ocean and see oil derricks on the horizon. That’s why California wisely banned new offshore oil drilling 50 years ago.

But in Monterey County, coastal views are limited by a relic of a bygone era: a giant, industrial sand plant right on the dunes between Highway One and the ocean.

In 2017, the California Coastal Commission reached an agreement with the sand plant for operations to shut down by 2020 and for all buildings and equipment to be removed by 2023.

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Fecal Bacteria In California’s Waterways Increases With Homeless Crisis

/in , , /by /California Healthlineby Anna Almendrala

President Donald Trump, a self-described germophobe, has made no secret of his disgust with California’s growing homeless problem, which he has called a “disgrace” and “inappropriate” and equated to “living in hell.”

“We should all work together to clean up these hazardous waste and homeless sites before the whole city rots away,” Trump tweeted about San Francisco on Oct. 26. “Very bad and dangerous conditions, also severely impacting the Pacific Ocean and water supply.”

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Thais Asked to Shower Less as Drought Worsens

/in , , /by /Reutersby Panarat Thepgumpanat and Patpicha Tanakasempipat

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday urged people to turn off taps and shower less to cope with a drought afflicting northern and central Thailand.

Last week, Bangkok’s water authority said the capital’s tap water was becoming saline as seawater pushed up the depleted Chao Phraya river, a source of much of central Thailand’s water.

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Water-Use Targets To Be Implemented In 2023

/in , /by /KSRO Sonoma

Californians have been speculating whether they can get fined for taking a shower and doing laundry on the same day. The Association of California Water Agencies clarified information last week about water-use targets placed by California Senate bills that went into effect in May 2018. The association says there aren’t any statewide laws that require household to meet specific water-use targets.

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