The Daily Catch: Bay Area headlines

• New study could undermine call to stop California climate change law
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/14/2011

  A study on emissions trading and poor communities may upend the rationale for stalling California’s climate change legislation AB32. An Indiana University study found that the 1990 emissions trading program to eliminate acid rain did not expose disadvantaged neighborhoods to higher concentrations of sulfur dioxide. [Read more - KQED Climate Watch]

• BART’s chief offered $1 million to quit
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/14/2011

  Of all the things $1 million of BART’s budget could help buy – clean seats, quieter trains, etc. – that amount will instead go to peaceably pushing out BART’s General Manager Dorothy Dugger, who officially resigned on Wednesday after months of negotiations. BART’s board of directors must still approve the resignation and its terms. [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle]

• A big step forward for San Francisco urban farmers
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/14/2011

  San Francisco urban farmers now enjoy the nation’s most progressive rules when it comes to growing and selling their own produce. Yesterday the Board of Supervisors approved rules allowing gardeners to sell produce to restaurants and set up stands on their property without obtaining a conditional-use permit. [Read more - SF Weekly, Mission Local]

• Big blow to hair straightener containing formaldehyde
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/14/2011

  State and federal agencies are going after the hair-straightening treatment called Brazilian Blowout after officials determined the product contains 8 percent formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer.  California’s attorney general and the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration have both issued warnings, while the former called on the company this week to warn workers of the product’s dangers. [Read more - California Watch]

• Brown signs historic 33 percent renewable portfolio standard
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/13/2011

  As expected, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill requiring utilities to purchase 33 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. Brown framed the passage as a win for the state’s green economy and a vehicle for remaining a leader in the clean technology industry. California already requires utilities to buy 20 percent of their power from renewables. [Read more - San Francisco Chronicle, GreenTech Media]

• Santa Clara County habitat protection plan called “salamander ransom” by foes
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/13/2011

  Santa Clara County’s unprecedented vision for linking land conservation and development over the next fifty years faced new hurdles as the Gilroy City Council pulled out of the deal with one member calling it “salamander ransom.” Supporters hope the $1 billion plan will help protect endangered species on 45,000 acres throughout the county. The plan has been ten years in the making and is up for approval next year. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

• SF Botanical Garden entrance fee to remain
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/13/2011

  And the votes are in…the highly controversial $7 entrance fee for non-residents to enjoy the San Francisco Botanical Garden will remain in place through the fall of 2013. The narrow 6-5 Board of Supervisor vote yesterday  was supported by interim mayor Ed Lee. Retraction of the entrance fee became an issue following a report that found for every $1 collected, 59 cents went toward the collection. [Read more - The Bay Citizen]

• The lowdown on San Francisco’s T2 (for the last time, we promise)
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/13/2011

  San Francisco International Airport’s sparkling new and green T2, which serves Virgin America and American Airlines, has a message for Bay Area travelers: “It can be green and fun…You don’t have to choose one or the other.” Read all about it (again) in great descriptive detail in today’s New York Times Bay Area section. [Read more - New York Times]

• Feds eliminate funds for California high speed rail
  By Alison Hawkes 

  04/13/2011

  As Congress took an ax to many federal programs this past week, high-speed rail made the list. Federal officials stripped all funding — $2.5 billion — for California’s bullet train project. California needs at least $14 billion from Uncle Sam to complete the more than 500 mile line and can’t even lay the first tracks without some aid. California rail officials think they’ll get a chunk of the money Florida abandoned earlier this year for high-speed rail, but without federal aid California will have to look to the private sector, state and local governments, or put the project on hold. [...]

• KQED interviews Wayne Pacelle about his book “The Bond”
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/12/2011

  The president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle, was interviewed on KQED’s Forum this morning about his new book on the relationship between animals and people, titled “The Bond.” There were some interesting caller questions about everything from Michael Vick and Bay Area leash laws to foie gras and the difference between the national and local humane societies. [Hear more - KQED Forum]

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