Critics, including a state senator, are lambasting the organizers of a fundraiser for the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy that will celebrate embattled former Public Utilities Commissioner Michael Peevey’s ‘Lifetime of Service.’ From Jaxon Van Derbeken at SFGate:
“The gathering at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco comes as revelations pile up surrounding e-mails between PG&E executives and top commission officials, including Peevey…
“State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, who has frequently criticized the utilities commission, said of the fundraiser, ‘It’s unbelievable and it’s shameful. It’s an embarrassment to the people of California, especially to the families of the eight people killed in San Bruno, which was due in part to his negligence.’”
Meanwhile, Peevey’s wife, state senator Carol Liu, announced legislation yesterday to require all bicyclists in California to wear helmets. If passed, the law would be the first of its kind in the nation.
“’Any responsible bicycle rider should wear a helmet,’ Liu said in a press statement. ‘This law will help protect more people and make sure all riders benefit from the head protection that a helmet provides…’
“California has had a mandatory helmet law since 1994 for anyone under 18. Liu’s bill also would require cyclists to wear reflective clothing when cycling at night.”
On Wednesday, an announcement that was a surprise only for its timing: Gavin Newsom is running for governor in 2018. From John Myers at KQED:
“’I make this promise — this won’t be an ordinary campaign,’ wrote Newsom on his Facebook page. ‘But, then again, California has always been an extraordinary place.’
“Newsom’s announcement comes in the middle of a fascinating winter for California political watchers, where leading Democrats have begun openly jockeying for high-profile positions that will be vacant in the next two statewide election cycles.”
California’s first cap-and-trade auction to include permission to sell transportation fuels is set for February 18. Proponents say that the program is necessary to combat global warming; opponents say it is a ‘hidden’ gas tax. John Howard has the story at Capitol Weekly.
“The sellers in California of gasoline, diesel, natural gas, heating oil and other fuels will be able to buy, sell or trade credits allowing them to stay in operation while they ratchet down on the greenhouse gases emitted by their combustible fuels…
“The auction on Feb. 18 marks the first time that transportation fuels have been included – a significant benchmark in the state’s greenhouse gas law. By one state estimate, the fuels’ combustion, resulting in nearly 450 million metric tons annually, represents about 38 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted in California.”
Responding to reports that chemicals related to fracking, including benzene, have been found in protected aquifers, the state’s top oil industry regulator conceded that his agency had failed to properly monitor data related to groundwater contamination. Jeremy White has he strory at the Sacramento Bee.
“’We do have a serious data management problem,’ Dr. Steve Bohlen, appointed last year to head California’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, said during a state Senate hearing. ‘Our problems are on the table, and I am not hiding them. The division is not hiding them.’
“The recent revelation that oil companies were allowed to inject wastewater into federally protected aquifers has spurred alarm from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and put state regulators on the defensive. State regulators sent a letter to the U.S. EPA pledging to get back into compliance and setting up a timeline to shut down some wells.”
Get ready for a slowdown at West Coast Ports this weekend – an ongoing labor dispute has spurred shipping companies to stop unloading ships to avoid overtime pay resulting from what they claim is an intentional slowdown. Andrew Khouri has the story at the Los Angeles Times.
“The Pacific Maritime Assn., which represents shipping lines and terminal operators, said ship unloading will stop on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, when dockworkers are entitled to overtime pay.
“Thursday is Lincoln’s Birthday and Monday is Presidents Day…
“Employers and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have been locked in bitter contract talks for nine months, a period marked by brutal congestion up and down the coast.
“Last week, employers said the already congested ports could soon become inoperable, leading them to shut operations and stop paying dockworkers.”
At 109, how does Australia’s oldest man spend his days? Knitting sweaters for penguins. No, we’re not kidding.
“Alfred 'Alfie' Date is 109 years old, and began knitting in 1932 when his sister-in-law taught him how to knit a jumper for his newborn nephew.
“Now, Alfie is putting his generous and still-nimble fingers to good use, creating tiny clothes for Phillip Island Penguins who needed woolen jumpers in the wake of an oil spill which prevented the creatures from staying dry, 9Stories reported…
“Phillip Island's Penguin Foundation put out a call for keen knitters to create the little jumpers in March last year, to help prevent penguins from swallowing the oil when they attempted to clean themselves….
“The 109-year-old quickly went to work, joining in hundreds of people around the world who answered the plea for jumpers.
“Despite his age, Alfie said that he always makes sure his jumpers are up to scratch.
“'I like to make it without mistakes and I don't excuse myself for doing it. (But) I think there is an excuse for a person who's gone beyond the normal span of life,' he said.”