KPCC: Stories by Molly Peterson

1 clean truck program, 2 ports, and now 2 strategies

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

A year after the Clean Trucks program began at the harbor complex, the two ports in San Pedro Harbor are headed in divergent directions. The port of Los Angeles continues to fight challenges to pollution controls in court. In Long Beach, harbor commissioners are trying to end the same lawsuit.

Long Beach officials, environmentalists seek to unsettle port settlement with trucking industry

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:58:59 -0800

In Long Beach, public officials and environmental activists are challenging a plan by the harbor commission to settle a lawsuit with the trucking industry.

Empty debris basins wait for Station Fire's winter impact

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:59:47 -0800

Three months after the Station Fire ignited in dry brush in the Angeles National Forest, fire officials still consider it active.

But cold weather and the possibility of rain have Los Angeles county public works crews ready for the fire’s winter flood fallout.

Southland legislators will sell their constituents and themselves on $11 billion water bond

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Around the state, the governor has been signing into law the bills that constitute a $40 billion water management package. That’s ended most legislative water politics for a while. But a year of public politicking awaits the bond measure that's a key part of the water plan.

A preferred alternative nobody prefers for South Coast marine protected areas

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:27 -0800

A state panel has recommended a network of havens for marine life in California waters. Marine protected areas from San Diego up to Santa Barbara will join a statewide network, the largest of its kind in the country. The compromise plan doesn’t feel like a success to everyone yet.

State panel recommends coastal water areas designed to protect marine life

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:41:41 -0800

A state panel has recommended a patchwork of areas in coastal waters designed to protect marine life. If state fish and game commissioners approve them, new rules would limit commercial and recreational fishing in some key spots between Santa Barbara and the Mexican border. (Audio: KPCC’s environment reporter Molly Peterson spoke to Steve Julian about what this all means, and why the state is doing this.)

Ninth Circuit panel halts Eagle Mountain landfill

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:57:19 -0800

A controversial land swap that would locate the world's largest landfill near Joshua Tree National Monument has again been stopped after a new appeals court ruling.

Task force to decide on marine protected areas in Point Dume, Palos Verdes, Laguna

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:21:59 -0800

The state's wrapping up a months-long process for selecting marine protected areas along the coast from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border. At a meeting near L.A. International Airport Tuesday, a blue ribbon task force will decide which plans to forward to state commissioners.

Water bill signing ceremony celebrates historic package, promotes future legislation

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, state and local leaders appeared at a signing ceremony for new water bills in Sun Valley. Those laws will change the way the state manages water in the Sacramento Delta and conserves it everywhere. The ceremony also served to launch a campaign to get voter approval for an $11 billion bond measure.

Compromise plan at water board brings sewers to some of Malibu

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:42:29 -0800

Regional water officials have approved a partial ban on septic systems in Malibu after city leaders worked out a compromise.

City of Malibu seeks septic tank solutions

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:50:03 -0800

Septic tanks helped give birth to the city of Malibu just 18 years ago. People along 21 miles of scenic coastline wanted local control over how Malibu would treat wastewater. Now regional water officials will vote on whether to prohibit septic systems. Regulators blame septic tanks for poor water quality along the coast, at surf spots and in Malibu Lagoon.

LA County weighs in on MPAs: Yes in Malibu, no at Rocky Point

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:10:51 -0800

Los Angeles County supervisors have added their opinion to the debate over where and how to protect marine life off the Southern California coast.

Green buildings grow on Skid Row

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Near the Los Angeles Convention Center, a curved white building rises along the 10 freeway. The New Carver apartments will fill with disabled and recently homeless residents. The building's one of several green projects for people who live in and around downtown L.A.’s Skid Row. KPCC's Molly Peterson checked it out before the new tenants move in.

Federal regulators take over California National Bank

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:59:48 -0800

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp has taken over Los Angeles-based California National Bank.

Panel pushes decision about marine protected areas to November

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:48:46 -0800

A blue ribbon panel charged with choosing marine protected areas along Southern California's coast has delayed making a recommendation until next month. The panel wants more scientific information about a few key areas.

Southern California anglers, conservationists negotiate ocean protection in Long Beach

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:16:42 -0800

A blue ribbon panel will vote today in Long Beach on plans to designate marine protected areas along southern California's coast.

Long Beach port executive says settlement won't wreck environmental enforcement

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:13:36 -0800

The Port of Long Beach and the trucking industry say they're ready to settle a year-old lawsuit over portions of the Clean Trucks program.

Clean Trucks lawsuit settled between Long Beach, ATA

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:57:02 -0800

The Port of Long Beach and the American Trucking Association have settled a year-old lawsuit the trucking industry brought to stop portions of the Clean Trucks Program.

LA City Council members say DWP customers need advocate

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:14:30 -0800

Several Los Angeles City Council members are calling for a new independent watchdog at the Department of Water and Power.

Renewables a common goal, roadblock for legislators, governor

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Lawmakers and Governor Schwarzenegger are still battling over how the state will increase renewable energy in the next decade.