The California Air Resources Board this week unveiled a new version of its highly-anticipated strategy for battling climate change, setting more ambitious targets for cutting greenhouse gases and scaling up controversial projects that capture carbon. If adopted by the air board at its Dec. 15 meeting, the plan would radically reshape California’s economy, alter how […]
climate change
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NCJ Preview: Climate Change, Elections, Bears and Facts
This week we’re breaking down the dire news from the COP27 climate conference, as well as how county and city elections shook out — and in some cases are still shaking out. We’ll also give keeping bears out of the trash a shot and look into a new play at Redwood Curtain Theatre, “The Lifespan […]
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California Commission Overhauls Rooftop Solar Proposal
The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday released a long-awaited overhaul of its proposal to regulate rooftop solar installations, removing an unpopular new fee but reducing how much utilities would pay homeowners for supplying power to the grid. The revised proposal comes after the CPUC earlier this year abandoned a controversial plan that solar advocates warned […]
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Four in a Row: California Drought Likely to Continue
As California’s 2022 water year ends this week, the parched state is bracing for another dry year — its fourth in a row. So far, in California’s recorded history, six previous droughts have lasted four or more years, two of them in the past 35 years. Despite some rain in September, weather watchers expect a […]
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‘Forcing the Hand’: Gavin Newsom Leans into Legislative Agenda as First Terms Nears End
As California’s legislative session comes to an end tonight, the priorities and focus of the closing days have been heavily shaped by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who in the final year of his first term has taken significant steps to execute his agenda through legislation like never before. His first three years in office saw Newsom […]
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Electric Day in California: State to Phase Out Sales of Gas Cars
UPDATE: According to media reports, the California Air Resources Board voted to move ahead with phasing out the sale of gas cars in the state in an effort to combat climate change. PREVIOUS: In its biggest move yet to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and fight climate change, California is poised today to enact the […]
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UPDATE: More Evacuation Orders Issued Near Willow Creek
UPDATED: An evacuation order has now been issued for zones HUM-EO77-C, HUM-E058 and HUM-061, south and east of Willow Creek. Evacuation warnings have been issued for zones HUM-EO63, HUM-EO64 and HUM-EO77-B, south of Willow Creek. These areas are urged to prepare for potential evacuation orders. “Be ready to go at a moment’s notice,” the Humboldt […]
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Can Californians Afford Electric Cars? Wait Lists for Rebates are Long and Some Programs have Shut Down
When Tulare resident Quentin Nelms heard California was offering a hefty state subsidy to help lower-income residents buy electric cars, he applied right away. But it wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be. Nelms spent four months on a waitlist before he was accepted into one of the state’s clean-car incentive programs in […]
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Climate Controversy: California’s Plan for Handling Crisis is Flawed, Advisors Say
As California races to prevent the irreversible effects of climate change, some experts are questioning key policies that the state is counting on to meet its ambitious goals and accusing state officials of failing to provide substantial details to back up its claims. The California Air Resources Board’s proposal, called a scoping plan, outlines policies […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Spring Migration
For Humboldt birders, May is a magical month. Spring migration is in full swing, and throughout the county the skies, marshes, forests, bay and grasslands are filled with birds. Some are here for a quick stopover on their journeys, to rest and replenish; others are back home on the North Coast to build their nests […]
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NCJ Preview: The Green Issue
The annual Green Issue is back and we’re looking at stories that touch on the environment and the climate crisis this week. We’ll talk about building up vs. building out around the county, and the impacts and controversies related to creating needed housing in Eureka and Arcata. We’ve got updates on the proposed offshore wind […]
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Clean-car Rules: California Unveils Proposed Measure to Ban New Gasoline-fueled Cars
California’s clean-air regulators this week unveiled a far-reaching proposal requiring a ramp-up in sales of zero-emission cars, culminating in a ban on new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. The rules to force Californians to end their dependence on conventional cars are a critical component to California’s goals to tackle climate change and poor air quality. If […]