Daily Green

Hello and good morning all. In today’s news:

• Senator Boxer assails Fiorina over global warming law rollback;
• George Shultz: "Clean air law is key to our future";
• Dan Walters: "Chaos kills renewable-power measure";
• John Diaz: "How SB722 fell through legislative cracks”;
• KQED’s Forum: Proposition 23; Would Prop 23 worsen gas-price shocks?
• More news and opinion on Prop 23;
• FDA set to approve genetically engineered salmon;
• Ospreys make a comeback in Orange County;
• Red-eared slider turtles dumped in marshes;
• Bikers make noise on attempt to quiet motorcycles;
• California seeks China's help for high-speed rail;
• LA environmental school site in toxic soil cleanup;
• Cheese brings jobs and bad water to town;
• Cadmium: California and the U.S. target toxic jewelry;
• Monterey sea otters killed by toxic algae;
• Area oil firms' safety records given;
• U.S. agency vows to beef up policing;
• State political news;
• David Allgood’s Cure for Insomnia is the cream (or milk, or soy milk) in your coffee.

 

Top News & Opinions

 

Los Angeles Times 9/11/10

"Boxer assails Fiorina over global warming law rollback"

"Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer said Friday that rival Carly Fiorina's recent embrace of a November ballot measure that would roll back the state's landmark global warming law was evidence that the Republican was 'in the pocket of big oil' and 'dirty coal.'"

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0911-senate-20100911,0,1535835.story

 

Sacramento Bee (opinion) 9/12/10

George Shultz: "Clean air law is key to our future"

"California's vision of a cleaner environment and reduced dependence on foreign oil and dirty fuels is now under attack. Make no mistake: Proposition 23 seeks to derail our future through a process of indefinite postponement of our state's clean energy and clean air standards. A future for California based on clean-power technologies is both an economic and environmental necessity."

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/12/3020428/clean-air-law-is-key-to-our-future.html

 

Sacramento Bee (column) 9/13/10

Dan Walters: "Chaos kills renewable-power measure"

"The most conspicuous casualty on the chaotic final day of the 2009-10 legislative session last month was an extremely complex measure to increase California's use of so-called "renewable" electric power and reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions.

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/13/3024173/dan-walters-chaos-kills-renewable.html

 

San Francisco Chronicle (column) 9/13/10

John Diaz: "How SB722 fell through legislative cracks"

"The demise of the most important environmental bill of the year provides a case study in what is wrong with the legislative process in Sacramento."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/IN9K1F9SFS.DTL

 

Prop 23

 

Forum (KQED-FM) 9/13/10

“Proposition 23”

“As part of our continuing coverage of California ballot measures, we discuss Proposition 23 which would suspend implementation of California's air pollution control law (AB 32) until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for a full year.”

Editor’s Note: Audio not yet available for this program – check later.

http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201009130900

 

Greenspace 9/13/10

"Proposition 23: Would it worsen gas-price shocks?"

"California’s 2006 global-warming law would save the state’s consumers as much as $670 per household in 2020, in the event of a global surge in the price of crude oil, according to a report released Monday by economists for alternative-energy advocacy groups."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/09/prop-23-oil-gas-prices-ab-32.html

 

San Francisco Chronicle (opinion) 9/12/10

Richard Branson: "California must continue to lead on clean energy"

"At a time when Californians have the most to gain from the clean-energy revolution they helped create, they should not take a major step back by suspending AB32. They should move forward as they always have, providing an example of what is possible for the rest of the world."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/INPG1F7BGP.DTL

 

San Francisco Chronicle (opinion) 9/12/10

James Kellogg: "Like having a job? You'll love Proposition 23"

"My labor union supports Proposition 23 for one simple reason: It will protect the jobs of millions of hard-working California men and women."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/INEI1FAIAP.DTL

 

Calitics 9/12/10

R.L. Miller: “California Unites Against Proposition 23”

“This year, climate activists have been on the defensive. The climate bill died in the Senate. Senator Lisa Murkowski's (R-Baked Alaska) effort to roll back the Clean Air Act came close to passing the Senate. Politicians both Blue Dog and red complained that jobs were more important than climate. In this environment, California's Proposition 23 -- an initiative to suspend the state's global warming law until unemployment reaches 5.5% for a year -- seemed like a slam-dunk. But a funny thing happened.  Californians are more bothered by the ideas that Proposition 23's funding is 97% from oil companies and 89% out of state, and that it'll destroy our clean air, than they are by the myth -- and it is a myth -- of Proposition 23 saving jobs to be killed by the global warming law.”

http://www.calitics.com/diary/12492/california-unites-against-proposition-23

 

Salon 9/10/10

“Prop 23's threat to the California dream”

“For decades, the state has pioneered the way to a green future. Now that narrative is in jeopardy at the ballot box.”

http://www.salon.com/news/california/?story=/tech/htww/2010/09/10/proposition_23_and_the_california_clean_energy_future

 

San Francisco Bay View 9/10/10

Dr. J. Alfred Smith Jr., Orson Aguilar: “Texas oil companies are attacking our communities with Prop. 23”

“They’re at it again: Once more, special interests are trying to hijack California’s state ballot to enrich themselves at the expense of our communities.”

http://sfbayview.com/2010/texas-oil-companies-are-attacking-our-communities-with-prop-23/

 

Sacramento Bee 9/10/10

"Climate change law's suspension slammed by UC Berkeley study"

"Suspending California's landmark climate change law would result in the loss of millions of dollars in state revenue and hurt the state's growing clean-tech industry, a new report says."

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/10/3017897/climate-change-laws-suspension.html

 

State Environmental News

 

California Watch 9/13/10

"FDA set to approve genetically engineered salmon"

"The Food and Drug Administration is poised to approve the nation’s first genetically engineered animal designed to be eaten by people."

http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/fda-set-approve-genetically-engineered-salmon-4618

 

Greenspace 9/13/10

"Ospreys make a comeback in Orange County"

"Ospreys, birds of prey once threatened by hunters and the pesticide DDT,  have begun to spread their wings — and domain — in Orange County. A female osprey reared on a  platform in Upper Newport Bay recently hatched a chick at another specialized platform a few miles away in Irvine."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/09/ospreys-california-orange-county-audubon.html

 

Associated Press 9/12/10

"Red-eared slider turtles dumped in marshes"

"Turtles with red ears are bedeviling Southern California marshlands and the overwhelmed owners who are releasing them."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/MN631FCDU7.DTL

 

Associated Press 9/13/10

"Bikers make noise on attempt to quiet motorcycles"

"Last year, Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, tried to close a loophole in the state law that exempts motorcycles from pollution standards by mandating smog inspections every two years. Vocal motorcyclists helped defeat the bill so she amended it to target noise. If signed, the bill will effectively make the state's 826,000 registered motorcycles meet air pollution requirements by meeting noise standards."

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/13/3024519/bikers-make-noise-on-attempt-to.html

 

Reuters 9/12/10

“California seeks China's help for high-speed rail”

“California will seek China's help in financing its high-speed rail system and welcome bids from Chinese firms to help build it, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Monday.”

www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68C0TY20100913

 

Associated Press 9/12/10

"LA environmental school site in toxic soil cleanup"

"Students at a new green themed school named for noted conservationists Rachel Carson and Al Gore don't have to go far for a lesson in environmental contamination: Their $75 million campus was laden with toxic soil."

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/12/3023348/la-environmental-school-site-in.html

 

Environmental Health News 9/13/10

“Bad water? It's the cheese.”

“The story of Hilmar is a classic tale of a company growing rapidly, bringing well-paying jobs but also environmental threats to a rural farm community.”

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/hilmar-cheese

 

Greenspace 9/12/10

"Cadmium: California and the U.S. target toxic jewelry"

"A bill to ban jewelry containing detectable levels of cadmium  has passed the California Legislature  and awaits the signature of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) would ban sales of jewelry in California containing more than 300 parts per million of the toxic metal, which is a known cancer-causing agent."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/09/cadmium-jewelry-california-china.html

 

San Francisco Chronicle 9/11/10

"Monterey sea otters killed by toxic algae"

"A toxic algae that forms in reservoirs, lakes and stagnant freshwater ponds was responsible for the deaths of at least 21 threatened California sea otters in the Monterey Bay area, a scientific study revealed Friday."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/11/BAVL1FBTB2.DTL

 

Ventura County Star 9/11/10

"Area oil firms' safety records given; U.S. agency vows to beef up policing"

"In the big business that is oil and natural gas production in the Santa Barbara Channel, Pacific Operators Offshore LLC is a relatively small player. The company operates only two oil platforms off Carpinteria, which over their lifetimes have produced a fraction of the natural resources compared to other operators in the oil-rich channel."

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/sep/11/offshore-oversight-area-oil-firms-safety-records/

 

State Politics

 

Los Angeles Times 9/13/10

“Whitman advisor defends campaign spending on 'Meet the Press'”

“Meg Whitman's chief strategist defended his candidate's record spending Sunday, saying the $104 million she has put into her campaign was necessary to get her message out to California voters.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/09/whitman-adviser-defends-campaign-spending-on-meet-the-press.html

 

Sacramento Bee 9/13/10

"Jerry Brown admits past errors, vows not to repeat them if elected again"

"The first time around, Gov. Jerry Brown won both praise and derision as a political pop star who expanded collective bargaining rights to state employees and adamantly opposed the death penalty. This year, as Brown seeks a sequel to his first gubernatorial stint, he's reliving that history while promising to do better."

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/12/3022828/jerry-brown-admits-past-errors.html

 

California Watch 9/13/10

"Labor conflict comes at bad time for California Democratic Party"

"Just when the Democratic Party in California needs all the help it can get to win its upcoming election battles, a significant part of its base is divided and weakened by internal conflicts and a sickly economy."

http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/labor-conflict-comes-bad-time-california-democratic-party-4615

 

Sacramento Bee 9/12/10

"Key proposals on the governor's desk"

"As his final year in office winds down, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must act on about 770 bills before a Sept. 30 deadline or they will become law automatically."

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/12/3022667/final-acts.html

 

David Allgood’s Cure for Insomnia

 

The Big Spill Day 146:

BP’s complex legal structure under scrutiny.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703897204575487970239591754.html

Money squeeze limits scientists studying BP spill.

www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/science/earth/13funds.html?_r=1

 

Fossil Fuel Funtime:

Aging pipeline and PG&E negligence hinted as cause of gas explosion in San Bruno that killed at least 4 people. www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/us/11fire.html?ref=todayspaper

In wake of fatal San Bruno explosion, PG&E ordered to inspect entire gas pipeline system.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/utility-in-san-bruno-blast-ordered-to-inspect-gas-system.html

Fatal PG&E explosion prompts more scrutiny of America's aging gas infrastructure.

www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-13/fatal-gas-blast-prompts-scrutiny-of-aging-u-s-fuel-pipelines.html

PG&E explosion investigators seek clues in oddly made pipes.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703897204575487781616221818.html

Alaska goes to federal to court to halt Arctic drilling delays.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59494

EPA to hold NY hearing on natural gas drilling.

www.seattlepi.com/national/1110ap_us_natural_gas_drilling.html

Combustible coal dust reported on conveyer belts 32 minutes before fatal Massey Energy mine explosion.

http://wvgazette.com/News/201009120326

Oil spill refocuses attention on Kalamazoo pollution.

www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/09/oil_spill_refocuses_attention.html

America is warming up to diesel.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451720343127244.html

 

News from the Homeland:

Advocate for consumer and environmental natural gas safety among 7 dead in San Bruno PG&E gas explosion.

http://cbs5.com/local/San.Bruno.rebuild.2.1907765.html

Science scorned: Stupid goes viral, Republicans and climate change denial.
www.nature.com/nature/journal/v467/n7312/full/467133a.html

US cricket farms face virus threat.

www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0910/Jiminy!-Cricket-farms-in-US-face-crisis

End of funding threatens thousands of green energy jobs.

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/10/green-energy-jobs-us-grant

The coming struggle to charge the future electric cars.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59498

USDA sued over genetically modified beef permits.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59495

Chlorinated swimming pools may increase cancer risks.

http://news.discovery.com/human/chlorinated-pools-swimming-cancer.html

Kansas legislators opposed to dealing with climate change are frustrated with EPA.

www.rdmag.com/News/FeedsAP/2010/09/energy-analysis-helplessness-fuels-kan-anger-over-epa/

 

Local News from the Golden State:

San Joaquin Valley schools to get hourly air quality updates.

www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/12/2076129/valley-schools-to-get-hourly-air.html

Race is on to build high speed rail link from LA to Las Vegas.

www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_vegasrail12.2b0a5ea.html

Ione may face millions in fines for failure to properly document waste water treatment.

www.ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=274178

Poaching on rise in California.

www.sacbee.com/2010/09/12/3022831/california-wardens-bag-more-poachers.html

Cheese plant brings jobs and pollution to Hilmar.

www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/hilmar-cheese

UC Davis want YOU to photograph dead animals.

www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/technology/13roadkill.html?ref=earth

 

News Of The World:

Hawk's bill turtles increase in numbers a sign of hope.

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/10/hawksbill-sea-turtles-numbers-hope

US, Cuba discuss alliance to save sharks.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59492

 

News from the EU:

Emissions decline for 6^th straight year.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59500

 

News from the Land of 1.4 Billion People:

Zhegiang locals used noise to drive off wild boars.

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/13/wild-boar-population-china

 

News from the Damp Isles:

Energy Minister call for lower biofuel targets for 2020.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59499

World's largest wind farm poised to open off of Kent.

www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/12/thanet-wind-farm-energy

Rare plant found flourishing in farmland.

www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/7997852/Rare-plant-found-flourishing-on-farmland.html

Business lobbying group says companies need to address climate risks.

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/13/cbi-business-warning-climate-risks

Surrey village fight back, kills and eats alien invader.
www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/village-fights-back-by-killing-and-eating-its-alien-invaders-2077188.html

 

News From The Land Of the Four O’Clock Sun:

Canadian government muzzling scientists.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Ottawa+media+rules+muzzling+federal+scientists+observers/3514002/story.html

 

News From the Rest of the World:

Aussie Climate Minister sees future for coal.

http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/59496

Vietnam cracks down on illegal wildlife trade.

www.enn.com/wildlife/article/41764

Radiation reaches dangerous levels in Moscow streets.

www.mn.ru/local/20100913/188039665.html

 

Frogs In The News:

Critically endangered white bellied frog reintroduced to wild.

www.perthnow.com.au/news/special-features/extinct-frogs-released-in-south-west/story-e6frg19l-1225920827152

 

Best Headlines Ever:

Cockroach brains may hold new antibiotics.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100909-cockroach-brains-mrsa-ecoli-antibiotics-science-health/

No more marshmallows for overweight orangutan.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/10/fat-orangutan-oshine-put-_n_710895.html