State's clean fuel standard poised to drive growth in biofuels industry

September 12, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Despite a challenging year, the advanced biofuels industry continues to grow, according to a new report from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). Biofuel production capacity has increased from 437 million gallons last year to more than 685 million gallons, the report shows. By 2015, the industry has the potential to produce 1.6 billion to 2.6 billion gallons of clean, renewable fuel.

September 12, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Heritage of the Americas Museum presents “Native American Song Cycles and Creation Stories in Southern California” with Steve Elster, Ph.D.  on September 22 at 1:00 p.m. in the Museum Conference Room.  Tribal members throughout the region will sing and speak as they give a rendition of their stories.

The cost of admission is $5.00, however Museum members and children are free.  The Museum is located at 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon.  For more information call the museum at 619-670-5194 or visit www.cuyamaca.edu/museum. 

By Jackie Hanson

September 12, 2012 (Lakeside)--Hi, I’m Jackie! I’m retired, but I keep busy tending a sizable property (that I try to coax into various gardens with mixed results) and caring for many animals (chickens, ducks, goats, horses, cats, and a dog).  I’m also an artist and aspiring interior decorator, and I have so many plans and ideas that I can only hope to live long enough to bring them to fruition!

I’ve decided to write a column to share with anyone who’s interested in getting better at living less wastefully.  I’m calling it “Becoming Green” because although I try to be a good steward of the earth, I am far from fully achieving that goal.  In fact, I’m probably a lot like you, trying to do my bit to recycle and waste less water, but fighting an uphill battle, with bad habits that are hard to break and a busy life that distracts me from doing more.

September 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- The national League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund and the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) together announced their endorsement of Scott Peters for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 52nd district. In backing his congressional bid, LCV Action Fund and CLCV cited Peters’ long and accomplished record of public service in the San Diego community, leading initiatives to strengthen public health standards, protect the environment, and grow the economy by creating thousands of new local jobs. Peters, a Democrat, will face long-time incumbent Rep. Brian Bilbray in the general election.

September 11, 2012 (La Mesa) -- This year’s Park Appreciation Day is scheduled for October 20.  La Mesa’s parks are the jewels of the city – help make them shine for the centennial.

Individuals of all ages and groups can join in and help their community.  Civic, church or social groups can adopt a park. To find a project that all your members can do, contact us at 667.1300 or community@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.

September 11, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The Environmental Sustainability Commission invites students to enter the “Our Planet, Our Home” Environmental Literacy & Art Contest.

In this Centennial year, the students (our future!) are challenged with a theme: Big changes start with small steps, and every great development starts with a vision or dream. What solutions or inventions can you dream up to shape the kind of world you want to pass on to the youth of the next century?

By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Lily Schorm, a teacher, learned some lessons while attending El Cajon City Council meetings. Now she’s among seven candidates running for three Council seats in November.

“It’s illegal to have chickens in El Cajon,” says Schworm, in an exclusive interview with ECM.  She has been working to persuade the City Council to legalize chicken ownership.  During that process, she saw Council  approve expenditures that she considered wasteful.

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

September 11, 2012 -- Dear EarthTalk: Which are the most eco-friendly and non-toxic (to people, cats and sanitation systems) cat litters? ­                                                                       -- Sam Barnes, Macon, GA

It makes sense that environmentally enlightened cat owners would want cat litter made from natural products that will not potentially compromise their health or that of their beloved pets. Many mass market cat litters contain significant amounts of silica dust which has been linked to upper respiratory issues in cats and even humans. Likewise, the chemical fragrances in many cat litters can also be toxic to cats.

September 11, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- San Diego County Sheriff's Department informed East County Magazine that a shooting occurred in the process of a CHP traffic stop in Spring Valley east of Route 125. Several law enforcement agencies have reported to Jamacha Boulevard and Sacramento Avenue. Traffic is closed on the surrounding streets.

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) – A new website, www.turbinesonfire.org, has been launched to raise public awareness about the dangers posed by wind turbines that explode into flames or are struck by lightning.

According to co-founder  Sherri Langue with the North American Platform Against Wind, the site “acts as a red flag…to alert folks about this already looming and horrific, unregulated problem. Imagine the impact with thousands more turbines in North America.”

By Nadin Abbott

September 8, 2012 (San Diego)—There was tension in the air as the two legal teams got ready to present their case before District Judge William Q. Hayes.

Community Advocates for Renewable Energy Stewardship (CARES) lawyer, William Pate, observed, “This case is not about energy policies or government programs, it’s about the rule of law.” Pate argued that the government has to be ruled by laws, and that “it is no more complicated than that.” He also argued that government agencies, in this case the Bureau of Land Management, are run by people and that people make mistakes.

AB 2212 gives law enforcement new tool; AB 2126 streamlines campus administration

September 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) today announced that Gov. Jerry Brown signed his measure to give law enforcement a new tool to shut down human trafficking, AB 2212, and another bill, AB 2126, which helps the California State University (CSU) system streamline its regulation process.

September 10, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges are holding public remembrances of the Sept.11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and triggered the global war on terror.

The Associated Students  of Cuyamaca College is sponsoring an on-campus display of 2,977 flags, with volunteers from the college, student leaders from Steele Canyon and Monte Vista high schools, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), area police and fire departments and the U.S. Armed Forces setting up the display in the grand lawn starting at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, the day before a community remembrance ceremony set for 12:30 p.m. at the college at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego.

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Marty Block is sponsoring a small business seminar, “Success in the New Economy”, with State Controller John Chiang, on September 12 at San Diego State University, Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego.  The event will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with registration opening at 8:30 a.m.

September 9, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber is hosting a lunch with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter on September 25 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine.  Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at www.alpinechamber.com/membership/payments.html.