As expected, former Vice President Al Gore praised Mayor Villaraigosa for his carbon surcharge, which would, in part, move Los Angeles to be using 20% renewable energy by the end of this year. The plan, which the Mayor says will only increase bills a few bucks for the majority of residents, was approved by the Board of Water and Power Commission last week. more ›

Mary Nichols, chair for the California Air Resources Board, has been rumored to be a top contender to head up the Environmental Protection Agency for the Obama administration. In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, she said "I'm not talking about that. I've been asked not to talk about it." That made one Bee blogger to be suspicious: "asked not to talk about it? Hmm. Does that sounds like a 'yes' to you?" more ›

Confirming past reports that say pollution kills thousands of people, a Cal State Fullerton study released yesterday concludes that annually, the state economy loses $28 billion due to 3,000 premature deaths in the South Coast (Los Angeles region) and San Joaquin basins. more ›