KPCC News: Environment

Department of Water and Power unveils memorial

Fri, 22 May 2009 10:34:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power holds a memorial ceremony every year to remember its fallen employees. At this year's ceremony in front of its building on Bunker Hill, the DWP dedicated a monument to the hundreds of men and women that have died on the job over the years. KPCC's Molly Peterson talked to the son of one of those workers.

California's greenhouse gas"emissions may be low because of energy efficiency

Thu, 21 May 2009 21:04:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: A congressional committee is considering wide-ranging legislation that would set new national limits on emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases. KPCC's Molly Peterson says a new report aims to identify how much greenhouse gas households in each state produce.

Budget cuts likely to affect environmental programs, parks

Fri, 15 May 2009 20:24:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: The governor's plans for the state budget close a gap of either 15 or 21 billion dollars - depending on the result of next Tuesday's election. California will cut some of that money from environment programs and emergency response fees. KPCC's Molly Peterson has more on what that means for parkgoers and property owners.

Santa Barbara's Jesusita Fire impacts local animals

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:51:00 -0700

Frank Stoltze, Alex Cohen: Not only have people been affected by the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara, but animals as well. Alex Cohen talks to KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze and gives us scope of the latest details on the conditions of the fire.

Helicopters used to fight Santa Barbara's Jesusita Fire

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:51:00 -0700

Frank Stoltze, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC reporter, Frank Stoltze as he joins us from a refilling station for helicopters on the western flank of the fire line of the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara.

Couple ordered to evacuate due to Santa Barbara fire speak

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:51:00 -0700

Frank Stoltze: Over 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate the Jesusita Fire area in the county of Santa Barbara. KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze talks to a couple who was ordered to evacuate their home.

Fire truck breaks down in midst of Santa Barbara fire

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:51:00 -0700

Frank Stoltze: It's day four as firefighters continue to battle the flames of the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara. KPCC reporter Frank Stoltze is at the scene as one of the fire trucks breaks down.

Jesusita Fire burns down Santa Barbara homes

Thu, 07 May 2009 21:28:00 -0700

Brian Watt, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC's Brian Watt as he gives us the details of the number of homes destroyed by the Jesusita Fire in the county of Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara's Jesusita Fire continues for third day

Thu, 07 May 2009 21:28:00 -0700

Brian Watt, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC's Brian Watt as he gives the lastest on day three of the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara.

Various firefighting techniques used to battle Santa Barbara fire

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:37:00 -0700

Brian Watt, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC reporter Brian Watt as he joins us from the Command Post at the Earl Warren Show Grounds in Santa Barbara and fills us in what firefighting techniques are being used to fight the fire.

Santa Barbara fire mandatory evacuations double

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:37:00 -0700

Brian Watt, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC reporter, Brian Watt, as he joins us from the Command Post at the Earl Warren Show Grounds in Santa Barbara and mandatory evacuations double.

Firefighters battle blaze in Santa Barbara

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:37:00 -0700

Brian Watt, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC reporter Brian Watt as he joins us from the Command Post at the Earl Warren Show Grounds in Santa Barbara and gives us the latest on the fire conditions out there.

Santa Barbara winds calm down as fire continues to blaze

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:37:00 -0700

Brian Watt, Alex Cohen: With the governor declaring a state of emergency on the County of Santa Barbara, Alex Cohen talks to KPCC reporter Brian Watt as he joins us from the Command Post at the Earl Warren Show Grounds in Santa Barbara and brings news that winds are calming down.

San Juan Capistrano prepares for water cutbacks

Tue, 05 May 2009 19:43:00 -0700

Susan Valot: Water use restrictions are coming, and people who live in San Juan Capistrano are getting ready. Dozens showed up for a water workshop in the South Orange County city today. KPCC's Susan Valot was there.

Oakridge residents get the green light to move back in

Tue, 05 May 2009 09:54:00 -0700

Frank Stoltze: State health and safety inspectors on Monday said it's safe for residents of the Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar to return home after a five-month wait. Last November, the Sayre fire swept through the park and burned almost 500 homes in one of the worst fires in Los Angeles city history. KPCC's Frank Stoltze reports.

Update on Oakridge Mobile Home Park after last year's wildfires

Mon, 04 May 2009 10:01:00 -0700

Frank Stoltze, Alex Cohen: Alex Cohen talks to KPCC's Frank Stoltze as he revisits the Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar affected by last year's wildfires.

Regional water regulators crack down on violations in Malibu

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:23:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: Regional water quality investigators say 39 Malibu businesses and public facilities are violating water quality standards. More on the story from KPCC's Molly Peterson.

Making a recession victory garden

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:39:00 -0700

John Rabe: KPCC's John Rabe chats with Frank Burkard, of Burkard Nurseries in Pasadena, about making a recession victory garden.

State set to limit carbon dioxide emissions

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: California's air regulators will consider today whether to enact the world's first rule reducing the carbon footprint and climate effects of transportation fuels. KPCC's Molly Peterson reports.

New book explores John Muir's passion for botany

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:28:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: Naturalist John Muir maintained a legendary devotion to California's Sierra Nevada. A new book explores the lesser-known passion that rooted his love for nature: plants. KPCC's Molly Peterson says Muir cultivated his botanical studies through a Southland connection.

New study tracks mountain lion paths

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:52:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: Like humans who have freeways and bike paths, wild animals in the Southland also benefit from clear paths from Point A to Point B. KPCC's Molly Peterson has more about a new study that tracks the ways mountain lions get around.

Senator Boxer talks about EPA announcement on greenhouse gas regulation

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:14:00 -0700

Shirley Jahad: KPCC's Shirley Jahad talks to California Senator Barbara Boxer on what today's announcement by the federal EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions means for California.

Mayor Villaraigosa hopes green business will help LA's economy

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:39:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: In his state of the city address, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa acknowledged a $530 million deficit and an idling economy. KPCC's Molly Peterson says the mayor sees hope in green business.

Water shortage forces avocado growers to cut down trees

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:08:00 -0700

Julie Small: The Metropolitan Water District plans to cut water supplies to its member agencies by 10 percent - which could mean a lot less water for you. The decision today is the result of California's nagging drought - and a federal judge's order a year ago that restricts water deliveries from the Sacramento Delta. Southern California farmers lost 30 percent of their water supply last year. KPCC's Julie Small reports avocado growers worry their industry could dry up.

Middle Harbor project may move forward

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:15:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: Long Beach harbor commissioners today consider the environmental effects of a proposed $750 million dollar expansion project. The project would be the second largest in the port's history. KPCC's Molly Peterson has more on prospects for the port area known as Middle Harbor.

LA City Council delays vote on water rate plan

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:26:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: The Los Angeles City Council has rejected a rate plan from the Department of Water and Power intended to promote water conservation. KPCC's Molly Peterson reports that Angelenos may still face new and higher prices for the water they use.

Long Beach port expansion plans move forward after final environmental impact report

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:26:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: Plans for a $750 million expansion at the Port of Long Beach's Middle Harbor are moving forward. KPCC's Molly Peterson says the port released a final environmental report today.

Gas station owners fuming over pollution rule

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:30:00 -0700

Molly Peterson: Today's the day that thousands of California gas stations must meet a state-imposed deadline for new air quality equipment at pumps. By some estimates, half of the gas stations in Southern California won't meet that deadline. KPCC's Molly Peterson met with one owner to find out why.

EPA proposes tougher port emissions standards

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:01:00 -0700

Shirley Jahad: The Federal Environmental Protection Agency is now moving to limit emissions along the coast and at the ports. The EPA is proposing tougher standards on big commercial ships, something local and state air quality officials have wanted for years. KPCC's Shirley Jahad talked about the announcement with South Coast Air Quality Management District spokesman Sam Atwood.

California Energy Commission wants new TV efficiency standards

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:11:00 -0700

Julia Mitric: Before you buy that high-definition flat-screen TV, keep in mind that the larger the screen is, the more energy the TV consumes. The California Energy Commission wants to set tighter energy efficiency rules for TVs. KPCC's Julia Mitric says it released a draft of those rules Wednesday in Sacramento.