Category Archives: Environment

California’s beaches are yours–if you can get to them

Posted on May 9, 2014 by

The California Coastal Zone Conservation Initiative made the state’s entire coast public property, but a Silicon Valley darling is trying to block access to a San Mateo County beach where I spent much of my misspent youth. Vinod Khosla, a … Continue reading →

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The high future cost of being green in California

Posted on May 2, 2014 by

Californians already pay some of highest rates for electricity in the U.S., but that’s nothing compared to what the future holds as we push as hard as we can to get as green as we can. Residential electricity rates in … Continue reading →

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Why is Newmont Mining getting away with this? Because it can

Posted on March 28, 2014 by

Last week’s vote by a state Senate subcommittee to consider unloading Empire Mine State Historic Park is an illustration of how corporations can evade the consequences of their actions. The state has spent $36 million over the last six years to … Continue reading →

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Consolidated Fire sees the future; Do others see it too?

Posted on March 21, 2014 by

The Nevada County Consolidated Fire Protection District, until recently a poster boy for dysfunctional government, is now leading the way toward what should be the future of fire departments in western Nevada County. Now, will others join the parade? Consolidated Fire’s Board … Continue reading →

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Part 1: A field guide to dealing with the media

Posted on March 7, 2014 by

“It just feels as if there’s been evasiveness in terms of being honest and straightforward.” Supervisor Terry Lamphier has since backpedaled from that statement to CBS13 News in Sacramento, his initial reaction to the concept of a mall development at … Continue reading →

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Hoodwinked over the Dorsey Drive interchange! Really?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by

This week’s eruption over the mere concept of a shopping center on Dorsey Drive at Highway 49 in Grass Valley revealed that many people are apparently easily duped or hoodwinked by the silver-tongued smoothies on the Grass Valley City Council. The proposal … Continue reading →

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Two questions nobody’s asking about the Boardwalk

Posted on February 7, 2014 by

The Nevada City Council has decided to kick the can down the road, delaying for another year a final decision on the fate of the city’s Boardwalk while the city collects data on its use that could have been gathered by now. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment, Government, Politics, Public Policy | Tagged , | 2 Comments