That white square thing behind the billboard is a generator. That's right--not only are these bright digital billboards annoying as hell and have the potential to cause accidents, but they're also using up fuel and polluting the air with the generators. Thanks billboard industry. Thanks a lot. more ›

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and City Councilmember Bonnie Lowenthal greeted members of the press and community for a beachfront demonstration of the City's biodiesel program on Tuesday morning. Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning alternative to petroleum diesel and will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and smoke particulates. Ten city vehicles, including skip loaders, tractors and dump trucks will be fueled up with a mixture of 80% diesel and 20% biodiesel over the next 3-6 months to test the cost effectiveness and reliability of these fuels. Existing city vehicles can run on this new fuel without needing any modifications, and the horsepower of the engines remains about equal. If the program is as successful as expected, the City will consider the use of biodiesel in as many as 250 additional vehicles. more ›