San Benito County Local Environment News Articles and Digest

Environment Transportation Sustainability

High-Speed Rail Project Connecting SoCal to Las Vegas Wins Grant

12/05/2023
Private company Brightline secured a $3 billion grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation toward a 218-mile high-speed rail line from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas. The line would allow people to make the trip to Sin City in a little over two hours.

From SFGate...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Sustainability

Imperial County Might Have Enough Lithium for 375 Million Batteries

12/04/2023
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found that approximately 3,400 kilotons of lithium are located below Imperial County in Southern California. This could produce more than $7 billion in lithium carbonate annually, helping power significant numbers of electric vehicles.

From KQED...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Transportation Sustainability Government

Oakland Might Have to Pay Developers Millions Over Coal Terminal

12/04/2023
An Alameda County judge ruled on Nov. 22 that the city of Oakland thwarted a proposed coal export terminal. The judge will rule if the developer who sued is entitled to $159 million in damages or moving forward with the project.

From YubaNet...

Environment Sustainability

Science Points to ‘Climate Collapse’ as UN Chief Calls for Action

11/30/2023
The world is heating up at an unprecedented pace, new climate data shows, and leaders gathered for the COP28 conference in Dubai must get us out of “deep trouble,” UN chief António Guterres said.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Water Sustainability Government

California Looks to Ocean Waves for New Clean Energy Source

11/29/2023
Image for display with article titled Surf's Up! California May Look to Ocean Waves as Possible New Clean Energy Source

Costs to turn waves into energy are high, but so's the payoff for California's clean energy future.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Environment Health

Sewage Spill Closes Southern California Beach

11/29/2023
Two miles of public beach were closed in Laguna Beach following a spill of 94,500 gallons of sewage. Orange County is testing water to determine when the beach will be safe to reopen.

From YubaNet...

Environment Sustainability

DOE Analysis Confirms Salton Sea Is a Rich Domestic Lithium Resource

11/28/2023
An analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy found that with expected technology advances, the Salton Sea region’s total lithium resources could produce more than 3,400 kilotons of lithium, enough to support over 375 million batteries for electric vehicles—more than the total number currently on U.S. roads.

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Environment Health Agriculture, Food & Gardening Community Service & Support Government

Hunger and Food Insecurity in California: What It Is, What to Do About It

11/17/2023
Image for display with article titled Hunger and Food Insecurity in California: What Must We Do to Make Sure Everybody Eats?

Almost 1 of every 4 people in the world’s fifth-largest economy has trouble getting enough nutritious food to eat.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Sustainability Government

California Slashes Rooftop Solar Incentives—Again

11/17/2023
Image for display with article titled California Slashes Rooftop Solar Incentives for Building Owners—Again

California's Public Utilities Commission cut payments to building owners who sell solar power to the grid.

From CalMatters...

Environment Water

As Storms Hit California, Reservoirs are Healthy. But Water Forecast Remains Unclear

11/16/2023
Unlike a year ago, water storage is above average. Whether the year is wet or dry, though, remains uncertain despite El Niño conditions.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Government

In Rare Strike by Civil Servants, State-Employed Scientists Walk Out for Better Pay

11/15/2023
More than 4,000 state scientists have worked under an expired contract for three years. Average wages in 2020 were $83,586, 27% less than state engineers’ pay. The state filed an unfair labor practice charge to stop the strike.

From CalMatters...

Public Safety Environment Community Service & Support Government

Families Struggle to Pay Power Bills, but California Regulators May Hike Prices

11/14/2023
Millions of people across the state struggle to pay electric bills as California regulators decide on proposed rate increases. PG&E wants a rate hike to bolster the safety and reliability of its services.

From The Guardian...

Environment Animals

Southern California Has Wolves Again, for the First Time in Nearly 150 Years

11/13/2023
A 2021 fire has helped bring wolves back to Southern California for the first time since the 19th century. A rancher is worried about how to keep wolves, which are federally protected, from harming cattle.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Elections & Politics Government

Led by Oil Companies, Lobbyists Flood State Govt With Cash

11/09/2023
Image for display with article titled Oil Companies are Biggest Spenders in Huge Year for Corporate Lobbyists in California

With year still not over, 2023 sees $358 million flooding Sacramento from all lobbyists.

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Environment Resilience

Despite Promises, Homeowners Still Face Fire Insurance Crisis

11/08/2023
Image for display with article titled Despite State’s Promises, Homeowners Still Facing Fire Insurance Crisis

Denials and non-renewals of homeowner fire policies have continued to climb.

From Los Angeles Times...

Environment Land Use & Development

A Proposed Development Might Threaten California’s Oldest Tree

11/06/2023
A shrubby Palmer oak tree in Riverside County is around 13,000 years old, making it California’s oldest tree and one of the longest-lived organisms on earth. Some people are concerned that a proposed development could threaten the tree.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Health Transportation History

Daylight Saving Time, Explained

11/04/2023
Image for display with article titled Daylight Saving Time, Explained: California Voted for Year-Round DST. Why Do We Still Set Back the Clock?

In 2018, California voted to ditch the twice-annual time shift. But the state still has it. Here’s why.

From Benito Link...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Land Use & Development County of San Benito

County Begins Study for Hwy. 129 Commercial Project

11/02/2023
The San Benito County Planning Commission issued a notice of preparation for an environmental impact report for a proposed project at the Hwy 129 and Searle Road intersection.

From New York Times...

Environment Sustainability

UCLA Scientist: California’s Redwoods Might Not Last Another Century

10/31/2023
A UCLA climate scientist says California’s redwoods might not last in their current groves for another 100 years. An effort is afoot to plant redwoods elsewhere in more potentially hospitable climates, such as the Pacific Northwest.

From YubaNet...

Environment Resilience

Scientists Find Two Ways That Hurricanes Intensify

10/26/2023
Forecasters have struggled to understand why tropical storms sometimes blow up into major hurricanes. Scientists have shed some light on this forecasting challenge.

San Benito County Local News: Environment