Bay Area has two EPA radiation detectors

By Alison Hawkes

03/15/2011

The Environmental Protection Agency has a radiation detection network across the U.S. called Radnet, which is continuously monitoring radiation levels. Luckily for the Bay Area there are two — one in downtown San Francisco at Bay Area air district headquarters at Ellis and Van Ness, and one in San Jose. Word has it that the SF detector recently picked up radiation from nuclear weapons testing in North Korea. [ Read more - KTVU San Francisco]

Little chance of radiation reaching Bay Area, officials say

By Victoria Schlesinger

03/15/2011

As the world watches the catastrophe caused by a massive earthquake in Japan unfold, Bay residents are also worried that radiation from four debilitated nuclear plants could drift over the Pacific and impact the region. Officials maintain that such a risk is very small and while they are monitoring the situation, they’ve been given no cause for concern yet. That could change if a full meltdown occurs at one of the plants. Scientific American has a good primer on what happens during a nuclear reactor meltdown. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News, Scientific American]

On the lighter side…Colbert on the GOP’s war against LEDs

By Victoria Schlesinger

03/15/2011

Comedian Steven Colbert makes fun of the Republican move to reverse a ban on energy-sucking incandescent light bulbs. Enough said, you’ve just got to watch it. [View more - Comedy Central]

The thundering calls of elephant seals are all about peace

By Victoria Schlesinger

03/15/2011

Scientists from U.C. Santa Cruz are studying the bellowing calls of northern California elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park in hopes of better protecting them. It appears that each of the roughly 4,000 pound males have a unique call and often use it to dissuade others from fighting. Recordings of the thundering sounds are on the San Jose Mercury News website. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

Secretive Bohemian Club needs new redwood harvesting plan

By Victoria Schlesinger

03/15/2011

A logging permit granted in 2006 to the exclusive and powerful all-male Bohemian Club, based in San Francisco, was revoked by a California judge yesterday on grounds that it did not consider alternative harvesting plans. Every July the club’s glitterati meet for a bacchanal amid its 2,300 acre redwood forest in Sonoma, home to old growth trees and the northern spotted owl. The Sierra Club has led the fight to reduce the harvesting level. [Read more - The Press Democrat, San Francisco Chronicle]

California’s long wrestle with nuclear power

By Victoria Schlesinger

03/15/2011

Over the past decade, California wavered between supporting nuclear energy and being split down the middle. The unfolding catastrophe in Japan may put an end to the debate. The state has a ban on any new plants until there is a permanent solution to storing nuclear waste. Currently two plants – Diablo Canyon and San Onofre – supply 15 percent of the state’s electricity. [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle]

Don’t mess with Rover: Dog owners vocal in park debate

By Alison Hawkes

03/14/2011

Put dog lovers against bird lovers to a match and guess who wins in the Bay Area? Despite this region’s love of the outdoors, love for Rover proves stronger. Dog power has become a major force in the debate over a national parks department proposal to restrict pooch access to beaches and parks. The local bird lobby has yet to squawk as loudly. [San Francisco Examiner]

Small businesses protest curbs to San Francisco Yellow Pages

By Alison Hawkes

03/14/2011

Small business advocates protested outside San Francisco city hall Monday morning to oppose an effort to restrict the distribution of the Yellow Pages phone books. The participants said they rely on the phone books to advertise their services. Board of Supervisors president David Chu introduced the measure last month in an effort to reduce city waste. Residents and businesses would receive the Yellow Pages only after being asked if they wanted one. [Read more -SFAppeal]

House GOP seeks to strip CA of fuel efficiency standards

By Alison Hawkes

03/14/2011

California has led the nation in its vehicle fuel efficiency standards, and it’s been in the process of developing new, tighter restrictions to meet the state’s climate change law, AB 32. But House Republicans are attempting to thwart that effort with a bill that would revoke the EPA’s authority to grant California the federal waivers it needs. A California Air Resources Board spokesman said the move is a violation of state’s rights and could eliminate a 25 percent cut to fuel consumption nationwide. [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle]

A california life lost to tsunami and damage in Bay Area

By Victoria Schlesinger

03/14/2011

A young man was swept away from the bank of the Klamath River by Friday’s tsunami and is presumed dead, making him the first California death from a tsunami in more than 40 years. Around the Bay Area, 18 boats sank in the Santa Cruz Harbor, which is expected to remain closed for the coming week as $17 million worth of damages is cleaned up. The Berkeley Marina suffered comparatively little upset, but docks and pilings were broken. [Read more - NPR, San Francisco Chronicle, Berkeleyside]