There is a cycle to the conversation about infrastructure and how to pay for it. And it goes like this in California: A few politicians say that infrastructure — roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, dams and more — are the lifeblood of economic prosperity. Editorial boards point out that Gov. Pat Brown and the Legislature of […]
The rain that fell in Sacramento added up to a record when the months of January and February were combined. The drenching that Sacramento experienced last month strained creeks and caused some flooding, but February was not the wettest on the record. A total of 8.04 inches fell in Sacramento in February. Other wet Februaries […]
A helicopter tour over Oroville Dam and the Feather River on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, reveals the dramatic extent of damage suffered by the spillway, the adjacent hillside scoured down to bedrock and the streambed of the Feather River piled with rock and other debris by dangerous high flows that nearly caused catastrophe beginning on […]
February’s quarterly auction of carbon dioxide emission allowances under California’s cap and trade program was another financial washout for the state. Results for last week’s auction were posted Wednesday morning, revealing that just 16.5 percent of the 74.8 million metric tons of emission allowances were sold at the floor price of $13.57 per ton.
Could the torrents of rain that have recently soaked California trigger an earthquake? The science is mixed. Heavy rainfall can spark earthquakes, according to one scientist, and with a winter marked by moisture-packed storms, California should be prepared. “If water enters a fault, especially under high pressure, it lubricates the fault and can push it […]
As you are probably aware, on Sunday, Feb. 12, the Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway almost eroded away. This caused more than 180,000 people to evacuate the area immediately. If the wall above the emergency spillway failed, it would have been catastrophic and could have caused many to lose their lives. Fortunately, this did not happen.
OPINION: California Must Address Vital Infrastructure Needs
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)There is a cycle to the conversation about infrastructure and how to pay for it. And it goes like this in California: A few politicians say that infrastructure — roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, dams and more — are the lifeblood of economic prosperity. Editorial boards point out that Gov. Pat Brown and the Legislature of […]
Record January-February Rain Total For Sacramento
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Bill LindelofThe rain that fell in Sacramento added up to a record when the months of January and February were combined. The drenching that Sacramento experienced last month strained creeks and caused some flooding, but February was not the wettest on the record. A total of 8.04 inches fell in Sacramento in February. Other wet Februaries […]
VIDEO: Oroville Dam Spillway Devastation, Ruined Hillside, Clogged River Revealed After Water Flow Is Stopped
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Randy PenchA helicopter tour over Oroville Dam and the Feather River on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, reveals the dramatic extent of damage suffered by the spillway, the adjacent hillside scoured down to bedrock and the streambed of the Feather River piled with rock and other debris by dangerous high flows that nearly caused catastrophe beginning on […]
California’s Cap and Trade Auction Another Washout
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dan WaltersFebruary’s quarterly auction of carbon dioxide emission allowances under California’s cap and trade program was another financial washout for the state. Results for last week’s auction were posted Wednesday morning, revealing that just 16.5 percent of the 74.8 million metric tons of emission allowances were sold at the floor price of $13.57 per ton.
Debate Rages Over Whether Heavy Rains Could Trigger More California Earthquakes
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SFGate (San Francisco)by Amy GraffCould the torrents of rain that have recently soaked California trigger an earthquake? The science is mixed. Heavy rainfall can spark earthquakes, according to one scientist, and with a winter marked by moisture-packed storms, California should be prepared. “If water enters a fault, especially under high pressure, it lubricates the fault and can push it […]
OPINION: Here’s Who Should Get The Bill For Oroville Repairs
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ChicoERby Luke ApplebyAs you are probably aware, on Sunday, Feb. 12, the Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway almost eroded away. This caused more than 180,000 people to evacuate the area immediately. If the wall above the emergency spillway failed, it would have been catastrophic and could have caused many to lose their lives. Fortunately, this did not happen.