The Big Lost River earns its name. Beginning in Idaho’s tallest peaks, moving through irrigation dams and diversions, the river flows into the desert here and simply ends. An ancient tributary to the iconic Snake River, the Big Lost was cut off by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Lava cooled into porous basalt, now […]
It is a telling illustration of the precarious state of United States dams that the near-collapse in February 2017 of Oroville Dam, the nation’s tallest, occurred in California, considered one of the nation’s leading states in dam safety management. The Oroville incident forced the evacuation of nearly 190,000 people and cost the state $1.1 billion […]
A growing menace in the form of 15-pound swamp rodents is threatening Delta waterways, and the state is throwing money, hunting dogs and birth control at the invasive pests which have the potential to destroy crops and wetlands. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has received $10 million in new funding for the eradication […]
In a series of demagogic tweets, President Donald Trump recently attacked Obama-era “clean power plan” policies as a “war on coal” and danger to U.S. energy independence. If there is a war on coal—as the president thinks—it’s long been decided in California and most of the West. In 2008, coal comprised 18.2% of California’s electricity […]
Monterey County supervisors voted Monday to let California American Water start construction on its desalination plant even before the state Coastal Commission makes a decision on the technology involved. On a fully predictable 3-2 vote, the supervisors also accepted unofficial state opinions about Cal Am’s water rights even though the courts have not made a […]
Bottled water is often considered the safest choice for avoiding drinking-water contaminants like arsenic and lead, but a recent spate of investigations has found that not all of it is free of potentially toxic chemicals. In June, testing from the Center for Environmental Health found “high levels” of arsenic in bottled water brands owned by […]
‘The River Disappears, But the Pollution Doesn’t’
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /E&E Newsby Ariel WittenbergThe Big Lost River earns its name. Beginning in Idaho’s tallest peaks, moving through irrigation dams and diversions, the river flows into the desert here and simply ends. An ancient tributary to the iconic Snake River, the Big Lost was cut off by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Lava cooled into porous basalt, now […]
In An Era of Extreme Weather, Concerns Grow Over Dam Safety
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /PBSby Jacques LeslieIt is a telling illustration of the precarious state of United States dams that the near-collapse in February 2017 of Oroville Dam, the nation’s tallest, occurred in California, considered one of the nation’s leading states in dam safety management. The Oroville incident forced the evacuation of nearly 190,000 people and cost the state $1.1 billion […]
California Pledges Millions To Battle Enormous, Destructive Swamp Rats
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage, Uncategorized /by Mike Lee /The Mercury Newsby Cat FergusonA growing menace in the form of 15-pound swamp rodents is threatening Delta waterways, and the state is throwing money, hunting dogs and birth control at the invasive pests which have the potential to destroy crops and wetlands. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has received $10 million in new funding for the eradication […]
OPINION: In California, we long ago ended the ‘War on Coal’
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CALmatters (Sacramento)by Jan Smutny-JonesIn a series of demagogic tweets, President Donald Trump recently attacked Obama-era “clean power plan” policies as a “war on coal” and danger to U.S. energy independence. If there is a war on coal—as the president thinks—it’s long been decided in California and most of the West. In 2008, coal comprised 18.2% of California’s electricity […]
Monterey County Gives Cal Am The Green Light
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Voices of Monterey Bayby Royal CalkinsMonterey County supervisors voted Monday to let California American Water start construction on its desalination plant even before the state Coastal Commission makes a decision on the technology involved. On a fully predictable 3-2 vote, the supervisors also accepted unofficial state opinions about Cal Am’s water rights even though the courts have not made a […]
Forever Chemicals’ Have Been Found In Bottled Water Brands Sold At Whole Foods And CVS, And It’s Part Of A Larger Contamination Problem
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Business Insiderby Aria BendixBottled water is often considered the safest choice for avoiding drinking-water contaminants like arsenic and lead, but a recent spate of investigations has found that not all of it is free of potentially toxic chemicals. In June, testing from the Center for Environmental Health found “high levels” of arsenic in bottled water brands owned by […]