| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
PAYD in Full
California to offer pay-as-you-drive insurance plan |
|
28 Aug 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:37 AM on 28 Aug 2008 Californians who minimize their driving could shell out less for insurance under a pay-as-you-go plan proposed Wednesday by Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Under the voluntary plan, annual insurance rates would be based on miles driven, incentivizing Golden Staters to stay out of their cars. "As a strong advocate of healthy market competition and a healthy environment, I am especially pl ... |
|
| Topics: California, cars, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
The Golden-State Touch
California bill aims to curb sprawl |
|
21 Aug 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 12:10 PM on 21 Aug 2008 Hopes are high that a bill aimed at curbing California sprawl will pass the state legislature and be signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill, SB 375, would channel transportation funding toward projects that encourage smart growth. Each of California's 17 metropolitan regions would create a "sustainable community strategy" to encourage compact development; projects included in t ... |
|
| Topics: California, legislation, news, placemaking, politics, progress, sprawl, state politics, urban planning (all these topics) |
|
|
I Wish They All Could Build California
First statewide green-building standards adopted by California, natch |
|
17 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 5:19 PM on 17 Jul 2008 Photo: Patrick Dirden California has adopted the nation's first statewide green-building standards in what is, according to ever-punny Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, "literally a groundbreaking move." The new California Green Buildings Standards Code requires builders to reduce energy use by 15 percent beyond current standards, target a 50 percent ... |
|
| Topics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, green building, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
Clarity Begins at Home
Honda produces new fuel-cell car |
|
16 Jun 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:47 AM on 16 Jun 2008 Honda Motor Co.'s hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity rolled off the line Monday and will be leased to high rollers in California. The Clarity -- an update of Honda's original FCX, a handful of which were leased in 2005 -- runs on hydrogen and electricity, emits only water, and is twice as fuel-efficient as a gas-electric hybrid. Actresses Laura Harris and Jamie Lee Curtis, filmmaker Christopher Guest, and Little ... |
|
| Topics: Big Auto, California, cars, celebrity, green living, hydrogen, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
Putting Down Roots
Ousted L.A. gardeners continue to farm |
|
28 Apr 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 3:17 PM on 28 Apr 2008 In June 2006, a land dispute led to the shutdown of the South Central Community Garden in Los Angeles. Weeks of protest and tree-sitting by celebrities and regular folk proved unfruitful, and the 14-acre garden, tended by 350 low-income families in the middle of one of L.A.'s poorest neighborhoods, was bulldozed. Nearly two years later, with legal wrangling over the land's ownership ongoing, the gardeners ... |
|
| Topics: agriculture, California, food, gardening, Los Angeles, news, placemaking, sustainable ag (all these topics) |
|
|
Highway to Nowhere
California's 'hydrogen highway' runs into roadblocks |
|
02 Apr 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:53 AM on 02 Apr 2008 Despite California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's executive order four years ago that "hundreds of hydrogen fueling stations" be built in the state, nary a station has been built under the program. Depending on whom you ask, the blame for the sputtering "hydrogen highway" lies with: energy companies and utilities, for not stepping forward to take state matching money to bui ... |
|
| Topics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, cars, energy, hydrogen, news, placemaking, politics, state politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Sun Rise
Berkeley, Calif., suggests innovative solar scheme |
|
26 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 4:30 PM on 26 Oct 2007 The Berkeley, Calif., city council will soon vote on an innovative scheme to front the cost of solar panels to homeowners, who would pay the city back over 20 years as a property tax add-on. The amount to be paid back would be roughly what homeowners would save on electric bills by being sun-powered. "This plan could be our most important contribution to fighting global warming," says Berkeley ... |
|
| Topics: California, energy, innovation, news, placemaking, renewable energy, solar voltaic power (all these topics) |
|
|
You're Getting Warmer, Warmer ...
Sprawling homes susceptible to flames in California |
|
24 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 3:27 PM on 24 Oct 2007 The impact of the still-raging California fires on humans and their homes is tragic and lamentable -- but far from unexpected, thanks to homeowners' tendency to sprawl out and nestle right up to the fire line. Some two-thirds of new building in southern California in the past decade was on tinder-dry, fire-susceptible land, says historian Mike Davis. "You might as well be ... |
|
| Topics: California, climate, climate change impacts, news, placemaking, severe weather, sprawl (all these topics) |
|
|
Shiny Happy People
Utility will pay for solar on Habitat for Humanity houses in California |
|
21 Sep 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 4:57 AM on 21 Sep 2007 Recognizing that solar electricity is a good investment in the long run but a bit spendy up front, utility Pacific Gas and Electric has agreed to pay for solar power on some 65 houses built by Habitat for Humanity in northern and central California next year. PG&E will donate about $1.2 million for panels and installation; low-income residents will see radically reduce ... |
|
| Topics: California, energy, environmental justice, news, placemaking, renewable energy, solar voltaic power (all these topics) |
|
|
Damn Environment, It's Always Getting in the Way
Partisan eco-impasse stalls budget vote in California |
|
09 Aug 2007 |
Daily Grist |
| Damn Environment, It's Always Getting in the Way Partisan eco-impasse stalls budget vote in California California's massive state budget is nearly six weeks overdue, and a partisan eco-impasse is a major factor. The state Assembly passed a spending plan in late July, but it's stalled out in the state Senate. The current sticking point: the 37-year-old California Environmental Quality A ... |
|
| Topics: California, news, placemaking, politics, regulation, state politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Nice Berk If You Can Get It
Berkeley, Calif., goes all crazy with the green ideas |
|
25 May 2007 |
Daily Grist |
| Nice Berk If You Can Get It Berkeley, Calif., goes all crazy with the green ideas Six months ago, voters in Berkeley, Calif., overwhelmingly approved a measure to reduce the city's emissions 80 percent by 2050. Now proposals have been laid out to accomplish that goal, including requiring builders to use green materials, making landlords provide free bus passes to tenants, informing reside ... |
|
| Topics: California, climate, climate change mitigation, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
I Know What You Did With That Last Hummer
Schwarzenegger sells his Hummers, pals around with NYC Mayor Bloomberg |
|
22 Sep 2006 |
Daily Grist |
| I Know What You Did With That Last Hummer Schwarzenegger sells his Hummers, pals around with NYC Mayor Bloomberg [See correction below.] Had your doubts that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was walking his green talk? Oh, he's walking all right -- the guv has sold his eight Hummers. It was Schwarzenegger who originally convinced then-manufacturer AM General to make a ver ... |
|
| Topics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, New York, news, placemaking, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
The New Nuisance Thing
California sues automakers over greenhouse-gas emissions |
|
21 Sep 2006 |
Daily Grist |
| The New Nuisance Thing California sues automakers over greenhouse-gas emissions California sued the six largest auto manufacturers yesterday, saying that vehicle greenhouse-gas emissions are a public nuisance and seeking compensation for damage to the state's air, water supplies, coast, forests, wildlife, and people. "Basically, what we are saying is, it's old-fashioned economics. You s ... |
|
| Topics: California, environmental justice, news, placemaking, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
How Ultra-Low Can You Go?
California makes the jump to ultra-low sulfur diesel |
|
01 Sep 2006 |
Daily Grist |
| How Ultra-Low Can You Go? California makes the jump to ultra-low sulfur diesel Starting today, on-road and off-road diesel vehicles in California will fill up with ultra-low sulfur fuel. California is leading the pack on this issue (natch); the rest of the U.S. will require on-road diesel vehicles to go ultra-low starting Oct. 15, but won't require off-road vehicles to make the switch until 2010. The new di ... |
|
| Topics: California, news, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics) |
|
|
Fuel Me Once, Shame on You
GM promotion will cap gas at $1.99 a gallon for SUV buyers |
|
25 May 2006 |
Daily Grist |
| Fuel Me Once, Shame on You GM promotion will cap gas at $1.99 a gallon for SUV buyers In a promotion that begins today, General Motors promised to cap gasoline prices at $1.99 a gallon for a year for customers in California and Florida who purchase certain new full-size SUVs or midsize cars. That's right: if you buy a gas-guzzler from GM, they'll help pay for the gas. The refu ... |
|
| Topics: California, commercial and industry organizations, Florida, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
Bay City Tollers
San Francisco looks into congestion charging |
|
30 Mar 2006 |
Daily Grist |
| Bay City Tollers San Francisco looks into congestion charging If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear ... a money clip. The city creatively known as "The City" plans to study the possibility of "congestion charges" -- making drivers pay to enter downtown during business hours. Critics include some stores in high-traffic areas, which fear that disincentives for down ... |
|
| Topics: California, cars, London, news, placemaking, San Francisco (all these topics) |
|
|
Dense and Densibility
Densest U.S. cities aren't the ones you think |
|
11 Aug 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| Dense and Densibility Densest U.S. cities aren't the ones you think Advocates of energy-saving urban density usually laud the towering buildings and subways of Manhattan, as contrasted with the car-heavy suburban sprawl of, say, Los Angeles. But the most dense city in the U.S., measured by people per square mile, is ... Los Angeles. In fact, despite its reputation for sprawl, the West contains 10 of the country's 15 most dens ... |
|
| Topics: California, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair
San Francisco named most sustainable city; Houston least |
|
08 Jun 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair San Francisco named most sustainable city; Houston least San Francisco, Portland, Ore., Berkeley, Calif., and Seattle took the top four spots in a new ranking of 25 U.S. cities based on sustainability practices. Bay Area green group SustainLane created the list after scrutinizing the metropolises based on 12 criteria, ... |
|
| Topics: California, news, Oregon, placemaking, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Texas, Washington (all these topics) |
|
|
Like a Metric Earth Day
Mayors from all over globe gather to celebrate World Environment Day |
|
31 May 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| Like a Metric Earth Day Mayors from all over globe gather to celebrate World Environment Day A five-day gathering to mark U.N. World Environment Day kicks off tomorrow in San Francisco and is expected to bring together at least 70 mayors from cities across the globe. San Francisco is the first U.S. city to host the annual event and will focus workshops, lectures, and other activities on sustainable ... |
|
| Topics: California, news, placemaking, politics, San Francisco (all these topics) |
|
|
A Prius With Mayo, Hold the Mayo
Fledgling California bill calls for new sales outlets for hybrids |
|
13 Apr 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| A Prius With Mayo, Hold the Mayo Fledgling California bill calls for new sales outlets for hybrids Ever wished you could get a five-pound jar of mayonnaise and a Toyota Prius at the same convenient location? Uh, let us explain. California drivers are crazy for hybrids; dealerships in the state have months-long waiting lists, presumably becau ... |
|
| Topics: California, cars, electric vehicles, hybrids, news, placemaking, politics, Prius, renewable energy, shopping (all these topics) |
|
|
Canadian Breakin'
Automakers sign emissions deal with Canada, say nyah-nyah to Cali |
|
06 Apr 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| Canadian Breakin' Automakers sign emissions deal with Canada, say nyah-nyah to Cali Major automakers signed a deal with the Canadian government yesterday that will have them voluntarily reduce their fleets' greenhouse-gas emissions by roughly 25 percent by 2010. Though it takes the heat off them in Canada, where mandatory federal regulations had been threatened, it puts automakers in a tricky public-relations positio ... |
|
| Topics: California, Canada, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
O Brother, Where Wal-Mart Thou?
Environmental lawsuits stymie Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize California |
|
21 Mar 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| O Brother, Where Wal-Mart Thou? Environmental lawsuits stymie Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize California Retail Brobdingnagian and perpetual defendant Wal-Mart, having carpeted much of the U.S. in Supercenters, has its sights set on one of its last potential growth markets in the country: California. But the Golden State has proved a stormy climate for the hungry giant; dozens of lawsuits have been filed ... |
|
| Topics: business, California, news, placemaking, Wal-Mart (all these topics) |
|
|
Californication
Washington state House OKs bill adopting California auto-emissions rule |
|
18 Mar 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| Californication Washington state House OKs bill adopting California auto-emissions rule The Washington state House this week passed a bill calling for adoption of California's strict auto-emissions rules. If the Senate follows suit and the governor signs off, Washington would follow in the footsteps of six other states that have opted to follow California rules instead of the looser national ones. The ... |
|
| Topics: California, news, placemaking, politics, Washington (all these topics) |
|
|
They've Been Workin' on the Railroad
Hybrid railcar goes into use in California |
|
16 Mar 2005 |
Daily Grist |
| They've Been Workin' on the Railroad Hybrid railcar goes into use in California With U.S. imports on the rise, ports are under growing scrutiny from air-quality regulators. Part of that concern focuses on the rail system that chugs goods out of ports and away to various Wal-Marts around the country. Yesterday, as part of its attempts to address such concerns, Union Pacific Railroad put into use one of the firs ... |
|
| Topics: air pollution, California, news, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
40 Acres and a Tax Break
|
|
16 May 2003 |
Daily Grist |
| 40 Acres and a Tax Break California environmentalists and farmers rejoiced yesterday when Gov. Gray Davis (D) restored $40 million in funding for farmland and open-space protection under the Williamson Act. Together, farmers and enviros had lobbied heavily against the proposed elimination of the act, under which the state pays back counties for property taxes lost when landowners are ... |
|
| Topics: business, California, food and agriculture, news, placemaking, sprawl (all these topics) |
|
|
©2008. Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Gloom and doom with a sense of humor®.