Big Mo

"Forest owners stand to reap tens of millions of dollars in the coming decades by selling the capacity of their woods to cleanse the air of carbon dioxide, offsetting greenhouse gases belched by industrial polluters. But the administration's successful effort to allow loggers to sell their carbon credits to industry while also clear-cutting their lands sparked intense opposition from several conservation groups."
 

UC students from across the state stages protests of state budget cuts and proposed fee increases. The Chron's Jill Tucker reports, "Thousands of UC students marched through downtown Berkeley and the area around campus this afternoon, staging a sit-down protest and blocking traffic as part of a demonstration against cuts to the university budget and proposed fee increases.

John Richman reports on some GOP infighting on the 3rd anniversary of AB 32.

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dismissed Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman's proposal to freeze the state's anti-global-warming goals as little more than campaign rhetoric Thursday, but Whitman soon replied it's anything but.

"Schwarzenegger addressed the Commonwealth Club of California at the Fairmont Hotel to mark the third anniversary of AB32, which set ambitious goals for the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades. Taking audience questions, the governor was asked about Whitman's recent pitch to enact a one-year moratorium on the law — perhaps his best, or only, proud legacy as governor — in order to stimulate job creation and economic recovery."

Hey, looks like Whitman has figured out the first step toward winning a GOP primary -- taking on Schwarzenegger.

State regulators are spending $3 billion to get you to turn off your air conditioning , the U-T's Onell Soto reports.

"State regulators yesterday committed more than $3 billion over the next three years for programs aimed at getting people to use less energy by retrofitting 130,000 homes, training 15,000 workers and using smarter appliances.

"The programs will be coordinated by California's four investor-owned utilities and paid for through electric and gas bills.

"The initiatives, which are an expansion of efficiency efforts long in place in the state, mark a change in direction by moving away from rebates for devices such as light bulbs and instead making buildings more efficient.

“The focus is to shift priorities away from rebates for widgets to sustained energy savings in the built environment,” said Dian Grueneich, a member of the California Public Utilities Commission, which approved the programs yesterday."

The LAT's Michael Rothfeld reports on the abrupt resignation of a member of the state Athletic Commission.

"The board, which regulates boxing and mixed martial arts, has had problems for years with management, personnel, regulation and ethics, state audits and other records show.

"Last week, The Times reported that commissioners had obtained from promoters they regulate free admission to big-ticket sports events for numerous friends and relatives. A state ethics agency, the Fair Political Practices Commission, launched an investigation.

"On Wednesday, the head of the state Department of Consumer Affairs, the commission's parent agency, also rejected the board members' choice for a permanent executive officer, the top administrative post. In his resignation letter to Schwarzenegger, Commission Chairman Timothy Noonan said he had quit because the commission's "outstanding" candidate was rejected."

Marisa Lagos reports the race for San Francisco governor is officially underway. 

"It's still more than two years away, but we have our first official contender for San Francisco's next mayor: Supervisor Bevan Dufty.

Sen. Leland Yee is among the candidates expected to join the 2011 race.

The Bee's Jack Chang offers a preview of this weekend's GOP convention.

"After last year's electoral defeats, re-energized California Republicans will meet at their biannual convention this weekend to try to turn what they say is their newfound momentum into ballot box victory next year.

The convention, to be held today through Sunday at an Indian Wells resort, will seek to capitalize on a summer full of conservative anti-tax protests and health care shouting matches that Republicans say have put Democrats on the defensive.

"Also on the Republicans' plate at the convention will be dealing with internal tensions, especially as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks tonight to party activists unhappy with the governor's position on taxes and other issues.

And finally, "East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer is lashing out at his primary opponent and the East Cleveland Police Department.
Brewer is blaming them for graphic, sexual photos that have been circulating in the community that appear to show Brewer dressed in women's clothing and makeup.

"During a Thursday news conference, Brewer referenced the photos, but did not confirm or deny that the pictures are of him."

And we all know what that means, in political terms...