Few of Trump’s Environmental Claims Stand Up To Scrutiny
President Trump on Monday held himself out as a leader in the fight to protect America’s air and water, despite two years of policies that have weakened environmental regulations.
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There’s So Much Plastic, It’s Falling From The Sky
/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Voice of San Diegoby Ry Rivard Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityIt is raining plastic, according to federal researchers. A new paper by the U.S. Geological Survey finds that plastic is circulating in the atmosphere and falling from the sky near Denver and in Rocky Mountain National Park. Similar research shows that tiny bits of plastic are being blown across the globe, landing in such remote places as the Pyrenees mountains.
Millions For Climate, Environmental Priorities In Newsom’s May Budget
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by Kevin StarkCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom threw some more money into the environmental pot Thursday as part of the state’s May budget revision. The new funding includes about $250 million for climate-related programs, thanks to the state’s cap-and-trade program, and $75 million to fund an assessment of wildfire protection plans. The update of his January budget proposal, required by the state constitution, reflects tax revenue collected through April 15. The record $213.5 billion spending plan includes about $4 billion in additional revenue above his January budget. The Legislature now has until June 15 to pass a budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
In Trump VS. California, The State Is Winning Nearly All Its Environmental Cases
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Ann M. PhillipsCalifornia’s lawsuits have targeted the administration’s policies on immigration, healthcare and education. But nowhere has the legal battle had a greater impact than on Trump’s agenda of dismantling Obama-era environmental and public health regulations. In its rush to delay, repeal and rewrite rules it considers unduly burdensome to industry, the administration has experienced significant setbacks in court. Federal judges have sided with California and environmental groups in cases concerning air pollution, pesticides and the royalties that the government receives from companies that extract oil, gas and coal from public land.
Study Estimates 15,000 Cancer Cases Could Stem From Chemicals In California Tap Water
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CNNby Nadia KounangA new study finds that drinking tap water in California over the course of a lifetime could increase the risk of cancer. Researchers from the environmental advocacy group Environmental Working Group estimated that the contaminants found in public water systems in California could contribute to about 15,500 cancer cases there over the course of a lifetime. These contaminants include chemicals such as arsenic, hexavalent chromium and radioactive elements such as uranium and radium. The study was published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Health.
Environment Report: Lawsuits Are A Weapon In Major Water Conflicts
/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Voice of San Diegoby Ry Rivard Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityIn court, the California Environmental Quality Act is a familiar obstacle to projects large and small — housing developments, solar projects, even bike lanes. It’s also lately become a weapon in the state’s major water conflicts. Last week, the Imperial Irrigation District filed a CEQA lawsuit trying to block a deal among seven states that could lead to further rations of the Colorado River in the near future. Even though environmental law doesn’t apply outside of California, Imperial is the largest holder of Colorado water rights in the country — it has dibs on as much river water as Arizona and Nevada combined — and is suing other California agencies that have agreed to give up water if there’s a shortage.
Rep. Scott Peters Releases “Climate Playbook” As Alternative To Green New Deal
/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Joshua Emerson SmithRep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, released Wednesday what he’s calling a “climate playbook” — a list of more than 50 pieces of legislation introduced by Democrats as well as Republicans since 2017. The congressman said revisiting bipartisan ideas to rein in climate change is a better use of time than focusing on the Green New Deal, a wide-ranging resolution aimed at wiping out greenhouse emissions by 2030 and creating new jobs.
Costa Mesa High School Environmental Science Students Collect Samples, Data In The Back Bay
/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Lilly NguyenAfter months of research, Costa Mesa High School environmental science students returned to the Newport Beach Back Bay Science Center Tuesday to gather final data in their examinations of biodiversity in and along the estuary. The Advanced Placement students formed teams of three to five and in October began researching water quality, mud invertebrates, avian migration and other subjects. Though teachers provided a list of potential topics, students were given the opportunity to “[find] their way toward something that interests them,” said Cristen Rasmussen, an AP environmental science teacher at the high school.
Sites Project Draws Criticism From Fishermem, Tribes, Conservation Groups
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Trinity Journal (Weaverville, Calif.)A coalition of 27 fishermen, Native Americans and environmental organizations sent a letter expressing concerns about the impacts to salmon and water quality from proposed diversion associated with the Sites Reservoir Project. The groups allege that the Sites Project Authority has left out key facts in its environmental review which serves to downplay impacts. “We are here to demand a full accounting of the environmental impacts to the Trinity and Sacramento rivers,” said Noah Oppenheim, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.
Inside Santa Cruz’s Enviro-Friendly Water Recharge
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Good Times (Santa Cruz)by Jacob PierceEvery minute, about 400 gallons flow past pressure gauges and shut-off valves into a 2-foot-high concrete box that marks the top of Beltz Well 12. If a pilot program goes well, this whole system could play a pivotal role in the water security of communities from Aptos to UCSC. Normally, water is pumping out of this well, not into it. As part of the reversal process, engineers went into the well and removed column piping, which now lies in a pile under a plastic tarp off to the side. Two 35,000-gallon tanks sit empty.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
