February 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--The draft environmental documents for the Forest Conservation Initiative (FCI) Lands General Plan Amendment have been released for public review. The lands included cover vast tracts of unincorporated communities in East County and beyond.
This Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared as a Supplemental EIR (SEIR) because only minor additions or changes are necessary to ensure the General Plan Update Program EIR adequately applies to the proposed changed designations of the Forest Conservation Initiative Lands GPA. The proposed Project for the SEIR is based on community planning and sponsor group endorsed land use maps.
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Similar fate could await eagles in path of Iberdrola’s Tule Wind project in East County
By Miriam Raftery
January 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Wildlife protection groups and residents have reacted in horror to the removal of an active bald eagle nest by a wind developer in Canada, an event documented on video January 5, just weeks after a photo of the active pair was taken at the site.
Now ECM has learned that the environmental documents filed by Iberdrola Renewables for its Tule Wind project in McCain Valley would allow SDG&E to “remove all existing raptor nests” prior to construction.
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January 19, 2013 (Santee) – The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to soon hold a hearing on its proposed decision finding that Quail Brush and Pio Pico gas-fired power plants are not needed.
A letter from Preserve Wild Santee states that the CPUC decision has twice been delayed due to “industry lobbying behind closed doors.” Preserve Wild Santee, an environmental group that has lobbied against the power plants, now asks citizens to write to Governor Jerry Brown and ask him to speak out for the public interest and prevent SDG&E/Congentrix from obtaining a decision that would allow “another ratepayer rip-off.”
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January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--According to the Vote Solar Initiative, 1,400 megawatts (MW) of PV installations are now operating on the homes or businesses of 134,000 Californians. In a recent study, they conclude that, the benefits to ratepayers in SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E territories will be around $92.2 million a year “by the time the state’s net metering program is fully subscribed at 5% of peak demand.” Two thirds of these installations are in low and median income neighbourhoods.
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July 25, 2012 (Portrero) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Potrero General Store and Café drinking water system located on 25125 Highway 94, Potrero, CA 91963 effective immediately. The water system serves a general store and cafe.
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July 16, 2012 (La Mesa)-Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis for vacancies on the Aging and Veterans Commission, Environmental Sustainability Commission and Personnel Appeals Board. The positions will remain open until filled.
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May 29, 2012 (San Diego) -- Recent Federal Environmental Protection Agency rules to reduce diesel emissions were forcing our fire engines off the road, putting the public at risk. Fire apparatus in San Diego and across the nation were breaking down because of the new diesel engine requirements. In the interest of public safety, City Councilmember Marti Emerald called on the federal government to exempt public safety vehicles.
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EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss
This week’s topics:
1) The Gulf of Mexico two years after the BP oil spill
2) Lead in aviation fuel
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve seen a lot of warm and fuzzy TV ads, some sponsored by BP Oil, urging me to vacation in the Gulf of Mexico. But are things really “back to normal?” -- Paul Shea, Dublin, OH
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By Dave Roberts, Supervisorial Candidate, Third District
May 21, 2012 (San Diego)--I understand the importance of preserving our environment, coastline, lagoons, and open spaces while fostering an economic climate that puts people to work. As a candidate for County Supervisor in the Third District and as the Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach, it has been one of my top priorities to protect our precious natural resources and do so in a balanced way. For those reasons I have been endorsed by the Sierra Club, U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, the League of Conservation Voters and the friends of the San Dieguito River Valley.
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April 26, 2012 (San Diego) -- U.S. Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner spoke in front of the San Diego Planning Commission today to oppose the “Quail Brush” Power Plant, slated for construction next to the San Diego Mission Trails Regional Park. The site is within the City of San Diego, but will have negative impacts in neighboring Santee. The Planning Commission was deliberating on the decision to re-zone the proposed location from “open space” to “industrial use.”
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March 27, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The third annual East County Earth Day, a free family event, will be held at the Mt. Helix Amphitheater on Sunday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Co-hosted by The Jarrett Meeker Foundation and Mt. Helix Park, East County Earth Day will feature vendors with interactive environmental and wildlife presentations. Educational speakers, music, food and children’s activities will make the day complete.
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March 3, 2012 -- San Diego) -- The City of SanDiego has announced that the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the SanDiegoRiverBend project (aka the proposed Shawnee/CG7600 Master Plan redevelopment project) is now available for public review and comment. The deadline for comments is Monday, April 29.
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February 1, 2012 (San Diego)--President Obama’s decision denying a permit to construct a controversial pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has fueled strong responses. Now local representatives offer their views on the project, which pits calls for construction jobs and a domestic energy supply against potentially serious environmental and health impacts.
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January 19, 2013 (Santee) – The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to soon hold a hearing on its proposed decision finding that Quail Brush and Pio Pico gas-fired power plants are not needed. 
Much to the chagrin of California’s three public utilities companies, residential solar is booming
March 27, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The third annual East County Earth Day, a free family event, will be held at the Mt. Helix Amphitheater on Sunday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Co-hosted by The Jarrett Meeker Foundation and Mt. Helix Park, East County Earth Day will feature vendors with interactive environmental and wildlife presentations. Educational speakers, music, food and children’s activities will make the day complete. 
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