The Daily Catch: Bay Area headlines

• Enviro review of Hunters Point redevelopment likely in hands of state judge
  By Alison Hawkes 

  04/15/2011

  Environmental review of the Hunters Point redevelopment project will likely be in the hands of a judge after talks between building giant Lennar and local activists broke down. The activist group, POWER, want the developer to give more details on the health impacts of toxic chemicals buried underground on the site before launching construction. The lawsuit is the last issue holding up development. The state judge, who hears the case Monday, could rule that Lennar has to do more work on the environmental report. [Read more - San Francisco Examiner]

• Stanford bike friendliest university in nation
  By Alison Hawkes 

  04/15/2011

  The League of American Bicyclists has named Stanford University as the most bike friendly university in the country. Of the 32 schools that applied to the first-ever list of Bike Friendly Universities program, Stanford was the only to receive a platinum rating because its extensive cycling network, education programs, and incentive programs. Nearly 22 percent of Stanford students and faculty commute by biking. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

• Decisive report in West Marin Oystergate called into question by locals
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/15/2011

  In the latest installment of Oystergate, the Interior Department’s recent report, which found that government officials were not guilty of charges of scientific misconduct, is being called into question by locals. Scientist and partial owner of the Point Reyes Light newspaper Corey Goodman and the owner of Drake’s Bay Oyster Company Kevin Lunny, who leveled the charges against National Park Service employees, claim that just prior to the report’s release Interior Solicitor Gavin Frost told them scientific misconduct had occurred. [Read more - Point Reyes Light]

• PG&E rate hike granted in exchange for reports on spending
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  04/15/2011

  PG&E has been granted permission to increase its rates in order to pay for natural gas line repairs and maintenance. But in exchange for the $120 million hike (to be doled out over four years), the utility for the first time in its history must report semi-annually how it uses the funds. [Read more - San Jose Mercury News]

• 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]

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