Nevada County Environment Digest

Key moisture measurements are only 2% to 5% of average, leaving dusty soils. And the recent swing from wet to dry is among the most extreme on record. This combination of climatic conditions crossed into a danger zone, priming much of Southern California for wind-whipped fires.

In a striking setback to reduce California’s air pollution but a win for trucking companies, state regulators have walked away from their ambitious plan to phase out diesel trucks less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Read on to learn about the two new California National Monuments to be declared by outgoing President Biden.

In their December 17 meeting, the Grass Valley Planning Commission determined that the 13 acre parcel on Brunswick Road was a suitable location for a proposed biomass plant under the city's General Plan. Read on for more information about the proposed biomass plant and next steps.

Use this explainer by the National Science Foundation-sponsored National Center for Atmospheric Research to understand atmospheric rivers and how they'll change as the climate warms.

The US EPA granted California’s waiver, which the incoming Trump administration is likely to try to overturn in the courts. The state’s zero-emission vehicle mandates have been the driving force behind California’s progress in cleaning up dangerous air pollutants.

Some rural California communities are resisting efforts to streamline permitting for wind and solar farms and battery storage for environmental or safety reasons.

The Supreme Court justices agreed to review whether oil companies have standing to try to overturn a federal waiver for a California clean-car rule that ramped up electric car sales. The standards are the cornerstone of California’s efforts to clean its air and combat climate change.

When disaster strikes, California gets federal funding to hire temporary workers to clean debris. But the jobs are tough, and some agencies struggle to manage the grants.

The Biden administration is awarding Inflation Reduction Act money to help clean the air before President-elect Trump takes over.

The Tahoe Fund is raising $50,000 for scholarships for the Lake Tahoe Community College Forestry Program. Read on for more information about how you can help.

Get the details about the new green carts being delivered in Grass Valley and Nevada County to be used in the new food waste collection service which begins December 16.

As a measure to stem expansion of invasive golden mussels, the Nevada Irrigation District is closing boat launches until further notice. Read on to learn why this action is being taken.

California has an aggressive mandate for zero-emission trucks, which are powered by electricity or hydrogen. But trucking companies face big obstacles — and people are still breathing dangerous diesel exhaust.

Read on to learn more about the Trust for Public Land and Truckee River Watershed Council transfer of the 600-acre Sardine Meadow to the Tahoe National Forest following work to rehabilitate it to a natural state.

Most ships discharging ballast water into California waters are inspected, but state officials have tested the water of only 16 ships. Experts say invaders like mussels are inevitable under current rules and enforcement.

Experts don’t know how much gas prices may rise from the revised California climate program, which tightens standards and gives incentives for low-carbon fuels. The board ordered an annual review of the cost impacts.

A lot is at stake with the new Trump administration: California’s water projects, its unique authority to clean its air, federal support for offshore wind and disaster aid for wildfires.

Learn more about the virtual town hall on November 18 focusing on upcoming changes to Nevada County waste disposal.

Learn more about how the just-passed $10 billion climate bond measure will fund resiliency projects across the state.

Sixty years ago, I was a reporter for the Klamath Falls (Oregon) Herald and News and with my family lived in a small house on the Link River, which flows out of Upper Klamath Lake, draining a large portion of the Cascade mountain range.

Growers support a federal and state proposal for operating California’s massive systems that send river water south. But it could harm more salmon and other endangered fish.

Capturing and storing carbon underground is a big part of California’s efforts to tackle climate change but community members and environmentalists say it prolongs the life of fossil fuels.

Learn more about the upcoming Sierra Nevada Alliance Conservation Conference to be held November 7-8 at outh Lake Tahoe at Lake Tahoe Community College.

How to apply rebate as part of the recent $80 million state program to electrify homes.

The California state goal to conserve 30% of its land and coastal waters has advanced, with conserved lands reaching 25% and coastal waters 16%.

California Air Resources Board staff will be on hand for a listening session co-hosted by local nonprofit Sierra Energy Reimagined in Nevada County seeking input toward the development of emission standards for space and water heaters.

The 30-day public comment period has commenced for the recently published El Dorado National Forest Caldor Fire Restoration Project Environmental Assessment.

The EPA must grant a waiver before the diesel truck measure can be implemented. It’s one of California’s most controversial measures to clean up air pollution and greenhouse gases.

Legislators and Gov. Newsom are working behind the scenes to draft energy legislation before the end-of-the-month deadline.

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District exists to provide landowners with the latest scientific information and techniques for managing their natural resources.

Harnessing clean energy is a venture of unprecedented scope in California, bringing big changes to Humboldt and the Central Coast, and requiring 26 ports along the coast.