Placer County Local News: Sustainability


All Local Sustainability News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: California has a goal of 6 million heat pumps cooling and heating buildings by 2030.
6 Million New Heat Pumps: Essential to California's Climate Future

Heat pumps, an energy-efficient way to both heat and cool homes, are a necessary element of California's climate goal of net zero carbon emissions. Here's what they are, how they work, and how to get one.

Image caption: Long-duration energy storage, such as this thermal energy storage facility, allows renewable energy sources to operate at full capacity without overloading the power grid.
How California Leads the Race For Long Duration Energy Storage

Long-duration energy storage is essential if renewables are to become the basis for a future, carbon-neutral power grid. Here's how California is leading the race to store energy from solar, wind, and other clean sources for use whenever it's needed.

Image caption: How California reclamation districts turned millions of acres of wetlands into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush.
Reclamation Districts: Turning ‘Swamps’ Into Farmland

California has used reclamation districts to turn millions of acres of unusable swamps into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush. Here’s how it happened.

Image caption: Dairy products are California’s top agricultural commodity, but the industry is often criticized for its impact on the environment.
Sustainable Sustenance

California is a leading producer of agricultural crops. So it’s not surprising to find cutting-edge ideas taking root here.

Image caption: Moss Landing in Monterey Bay is the world’s largest battery storage facility for solar and other renewable energy.
Solar Power and California’s Clean Energy Goals

Solar power, and a network of giant battery storage facilities, are playing an essential role in moving California toward its goal of exclusive reliance on renewable energy sources.

Image caption: RCDs look after the land, whether it’s used for grazing, growing, or getting out into nature.
California Dirt

What do resource conservation districts protect? Pretty much everything that’s worth saving.

Image caption: Water is a human right under California law, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
Agriculture and Water Shortages in the State’s Breadbasket, Explained

Residential wells are drying up in the state’s main agricultural region at the same time that agricultural businesses consume almost 90 percent of the water there.

Lincoln News Messenger logo From Lincoln News Messenger...

04/18/2024
Image for display with article titled Lincoln Approves Energy Services Master Agreement With SiteLogIQ for Various Solar Panel Projects

The city of Lincoln entered a master agreement with SiteLogIQ after unanimous council approval at the April 9 meeting to begin exploring ways to save money through solar electricity options.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

03/21/2024
Image for display with article titled Empowering Farms, Enriching Communities: Inside the Force of Tahoe Food Hub

The Tahoe Food Hub isn't just about providing fresh produce; it's a comprehensive endeavor that promotes regenerative farming practices, fosters fair market opportunities for family farms, and strives to enhance access to locally sourced food.

Placer Herald logo From Placer Herald...

03/14/2024
Image for display with article titled Roseville Approves Ordinance Targeting Long-Term Camping on Private Property

“The police and code enforcement, we got together and collaborated with the city attorney, who noticed an uptick in the number of issues associated with camping on private property,” Roseville Police Department Captain Doug Blake said.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/05/2024
The consumer price index shows services are mostly responsible for persistent inflation, but prices for food and other goods in California remain high.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

03/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Auburn Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions Almost in Half

At the February 26 Auburn City Council meeting, Sustainability Committee member Roke Whitson reported that a greenhouse gas inventory recently revealed the city of Auburn has cut its emissions almost in half over the past 17 years.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

02/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Truckee Town Council Moves Forward with Purchase of Zero-emission Vans

The Truckee Town Council met on Tuesday, Feb. 27 to discuss an initiative involving the purchase of six zero-emission battery electric vans for the transit fleet and update on electrical vehicle charging infrastructure. 

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

02/27/2024
Image for display with article titled City of Auburn Working Toward Energy Savings Contract

After soliciting Request for Proposals from energy service companies, Auburn Public Works Director Mengil Deane shared that the city has received four proposals.

California Local Pin Marker From YubaNet...

02/27/2024
Part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the projects include California’s Lava Cap Mine in Nevada City, Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine in Clearlake Oaks, and Southern Avenue Industrial Area in South Gate.

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

02/26/2024
Ecologists estimate that up to 14,000 sequoias have been killed in recent wildfires. The National Park Service for the first time has begun replanting some severely burned areas.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

02/25/2024
New research warns of a possible collapse in Atlantic Ocean currents due to climate change. That could fundamentally alter global weather patterns.

California Local Pin Marker From Monterey Herald...

02/24/2024
There was a time not so long ago when trained observers were overwhelmed by the number of whales migrating through Monterey Bay.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

02/23/2024
The Wildlife Conservation Board voted to award $10.3 million to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to preserve the 27,000-acre Camatta Ranch in Santa Margarita.

California Local Pin Marker From YubaNet...

02/22/2024
Placer County staff will prepare and release a request for proposals for the proposed Cabin Creek biomass facility project in North Lake Tahoe. The proposed site is the Eastern Regional Landfill.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

02/14/2024
California electric vehicle sales dropped significantly in the last half of 2023, raising questions about the state’s ability to phase out gas-powered cars.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

02/13/2024
Image for display with article titled Truckee Fire District to Accept Proposals for 2024–26 Curbside Green Waste Services

Truckee Fire Protection District is seeking qualified and interested contractors and/or organizations to provide green waste collection and disposal services in residential areas.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

02/02/2024
When wildfire smoke and extreme heat combine, they create “a synergistic effect” or an “additional burden” on people’s health, researchers say.

California Local Pin Marker From California Healthline...

01/31/2024
As Californians increasingly feel the health effects of climate change, state leaders are adopting sweeping policies they hope will fend off the worst impacts.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/30/2024
Chinook and other salmon runs are collapsing. Conservation groups call it too little, too late. Plan includes dam removals and restoring river flows.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

01/29/2024
As an underground fire burns deep within Chiquita Canyon Landfill, air regulators are raising alarms over the possible spread of toxic vapors.
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